Yes, “Manly” was a real and affectionate nickname used by Laura Ingalls Wilder for her husband, Almanzo Wilder. Although the name Almanzo is quite unusual and already distinctive, it was commonly shortened to a nickname by both family and friends during his lifetime.
Almanzo’s Two Nicknames: “Manny” and “Manly”
Growing up, Almanzo’s family called him “Manny” (sometimes spelled “Mannie”), a natural abbreviation of his first name. This nickname was familiar to those who knew him during his childhood in Burke, New York, and later in De Smet, South Dakota. Friends and townspeople also used the same shortened form in casual conversation.
However, when Laura first heard the nickname “Manny,” she misunderstood it as “Manly”. Instead of correcting the mistake, she embraced it—and preferred it. Laura once remarked that “Manny” sounded silly to her, and she felt that “Manly” better suited her husband’s strong, quiet nature.
From then on, Laura called him “Manly” for the rest of their lives, and the nickname became a private and endearing part of their relationship.
“Manly” in the Books and TV Show
The nickname “Manly” appears prominently in The First Four Years, Laura’s posthumously published memoir of her early married life. Unlike the earlier Little House books, which refer to him as Almanzo, this final volume has a more personal and informal tone, making use of the name Laura actually used in her daily life.
The nickname also appears in the TV adaptation of Little House on the Prairie, where Laura frequently refers to Almanzo as “Manly.” The show helped introduce a new generation of fans to their romance—and solidified “Manly” as a recognizable nickname among viewers.
Almanzo’s Nickname for Laura: “Bess”
Just as Laura had a special name for Almanzo, he had one for her too. Almanzo called Laura “Bess”, a shortened form of her middle name, Elizabeth. He used this nickname throughout their marriage, likely to distinguish her from his sister, who was also named Laura.
Interestingly, in the TV series, Almanzo’s nickname for Laura was changed to “Beth”, which may have been easier for viewers to understand or pronounce. However, in real life, “Bess” was her true pet name.
