"belonging to God"
Lemuel
Does Lemuel flow with your last name?
A rare biblical gem with Puritan roots
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Lemuel
Lemuel comes from the Hebrew name Lemuel meaning devoted to God or belonging to God. It appears in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, attributed to a king named Lemuel whose mother taught him wisdom. The name was widely used by Puritans in the 17th century for its strong biblical pedigree and unusual sound.
Lemuel was most popular in colonial and early American times, particularly among Puritan families who favored obscure Old Testament names. Jonathan Swift gave the name its most famous fictional bearer in Gulliver's Travels. It fell out of fashion by the 19th century but retains charm as a distinctive vintage choice.
In Jewish tradition, the Words of King Lemuel in Proverbs 31 contain the famous woman of valor poem Eshet Chayil, making Lemuel forever associated with the highest praise of women. The name carries significant weight in communities that value Old Testament scholarship.
Historical Record
Lemuel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,105 babies have been named Lemuel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lemuel is past its peak , currently ranked #2,131 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lemuel Gulliver is the protagonist of Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical novel Gulliver's Travels
- The name appears in Proverbs 31, which contains the famous Woman of Valor poem
- Lemuel Shaw was Chief Justice of Massachusetts and Herman Melville's father-in-law
Lemuel in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lemuel
Lemmy Kilmister
Musician
1945
Founding member and frontman of heavy metal band Motorhead
Lemuel Shaw
Other
1781
Chief Justice of Massachusetts Supreme Court and influential legal figure in 19th-century America
Lemuel Gulliver Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical novel Gulliver's Travels
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,131
- Total SSA Count
- 69
- Cultural Origins
- English American Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lemuel
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lemuel
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About the Name Lemuel
Lemuel is a boy name with English, American, and Jewish origins . The name means "belonging to God" in Hebrew .
Lemuel is currently ranked #2,131 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Lemuel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Lemuel include Lem and Lemmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis