The nameSamuel
Samuel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "name of God" or "God has heard". It is a classic of the English-speaking world, from the Bible to Samuel Johnson.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, usually read as "name of God". The Bible connects it to the idea of "asked of God" or "God has heard", because Hannah prayed for a son.
Origin
Hebrew. Samuel is the last of the judges of Israel and the prophet who anointed Saul and then David as kings.
History
Popular with Puritans, Samuel was very common in early America and in Victorian Britain. It returned to favour from the 1990s. Sam and Sammy are its usual short forms.
Samuel in other languages
Samuel is spelled the same in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese. It is Samuele in Italian and Shmuel in Hebrew.
Nicknames for Samuel
The most common nicknames for Samuel: Sam and Sammy.
Did you know?
- Samuel Johnson published his Dictionary of the English Language in 1755.
- Samuel Beckett first wrote Waiting for Godot in French, then translated it into English himself.
- Morse code is named after the American telegraph pioneer Samuel Morse.
Famous people named Samuel
- Samuel, prophet of the Bible
- Samuel Johnson, lexicographer
- Samuel Beckett, writer
- Samuel L. Jackson, actor
Popularity of the name Samuel
Samuel in the United States
Samuel was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 138,883 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Samuel. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 2001. Half of all babies named Samuel in the United States were born before 1990. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 8,389 births a year on average, against 10,240 in the five years before.
Samuel in the United Kingdom
Samuel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 53,177 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Samuel. Half of all babies named Samuel in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,026 births a year on average, against 1,977 in the five years before.
Samuel in Ireland
Samuel in France
Samuel in Belgium
Samuel in Switzerland
Samuel in Austria
Samuel in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Samuel
Names from the same generation as Samuel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Samuel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Samuel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Samuel side by side with the name of your choice.
Samuel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, usually read as "name of God". The Bible connects it to the idea of "asked of God" or "God has heard", because Hannah prayed for a son.
What is the origin of the name Samuel?
Hebrew. Samuel is the last of the judges of Israel and the prophet who anointed Saul and then David as kings.
Is Samuel a girl's or a boy's name?
Samuel is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Samuel?
In 2024, Samuel was the 17th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 8,310 births.
What are the variants of the name Samuel?
Variants and related names of Samuel include Maverick, Sam, Samantha, Sami, Sammy and Samy.
What are good sibling names for Samuel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Abigail, Madeline and Ana for a sister, Daniel, Caleb, James and John for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Samuel?
The most common nicknames for Samuel are Sam and Sammy.
Who are famous people named Samuel?
Samuel, prophet of the Bible; Samuel Johnson, lexicographer; Samuel Beckett, writer; Samuel L. Jackson, actor.