Manyu is a Chinese two-character feminine compound name combining 曼 (màn) meaning graceful, elegant, or extended (in the sense of slender elegance), with 玉 (yù) meaning jade — giving the literal meaning graceful jade. The character 曼 specifically conveys the kind of refined slender elegance associated with classical Chinese feminine beauty — appearing in compounds like 曼妙 (mànmiào, graceful) and 轻歌曼舞 (qīnggē mànwǔ, soft songs and graceful dances). The character 玉 (jade) represents the most precious gemstone in Chinese culture, with over 7,000 years of cultural significance. The pinyin Manyu spelling represents the standard modern Mandarin romanization. The name was made supremely internationally famous by Maggie Cheung (张曼玉 Zhāng Mànyù, born 1964), the celebrated Hong Kong actress whose performances in In the Mood for Love (2000), Hero (2002), Centre Stage (1991), and Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996) established her as one of the most internationally recognized Chinese actresses of her generation. Maggie Cheung was the first Asian actress to win Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival (for Clean in 2004) and has been called one of the most beautiful women in cinema by international critics. Through her global fame, Manyu became one of the most internationally recognized Chinese feminine names of the late twentieth century. In modern Chinese naming, Manyu has been a fashionable choice particularly in Hong Kong and global Chinese diaspora communities. Chinese parents who choose Manyu are drawn to its profound supreme cultural significance through Maggie Cheung.

The root form of Manyu is Manyu (曼玉) — meaning Graceful jade.

Manyu remains a beloved choice. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.