Samuel
SAM-yoo-ul /ˈsæm.ju.əl/
Meaning of Samuel
Samuel comes from the Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemu'el), with two competing analyses: shem ('name') + el ('God'), meaning 'name of God'; or shama ('to hear') + el, meaning 'God has heard.' In the Hebrew Bible, Samuel is both a prophet and a judge — the pivotal figure who anoints Israel's first two kings (Saul and David). The name has been in English continuous use since the Reformation.
Current popularity of Samuel
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #36 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #17 |
| France (INSEE) | 2024 | #22 |
Notable bearers of Samuel
Samuel (Hebrew Bible prophet); Samuel Johnson (lexicographer); Samuel Beckett (playwright).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Samuel — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31