Samael

Boy Name #2,901 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

An ancient angelic name from the depths of Jewish mysticism

Jewish mystical Western occult Literary

Bold Spiritual Unique Literary

Meaning & Origin

"blindness of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"angel of death"

Origin: Jewish mysticism

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Samael is associated with a powerful angel of death or adversarial figure in Jewish mysticism and some occult traditions; this may concern some religious communities

The Story of Samael

Samael is a name from Jewish mystical tradition (Kabbalah), composed of the Hebrew sam (poison, venom) or possibly shama (to hear) and El (God). In the Talmud and Kabbalistic texts, Samael is a powerful angel who serves as a prosecuting angel, the angel of death, and in some texts as an adversarial figure. The name appears in texts like the Zohar and the Book of Enoch. Unlike its near-twin Samuel (which means God has heard), Samael carries significantly darker mystical connotations.

Samael remains exceedingly rare as a given name. It has gained some visibility through the Swiss metal band Samael (formed 1987) and through its appearance in fantasy literature, television shows like Lucifer and Good Omens, and Dungeons and Dragons lore.

In Jewish Kabbalistic tradition, Samael occupies a complex role as both a force of judgment and a tempter. In the Zohar, he is identified as the husband of Lilith. These associations make the name spiritually significant within Jewish mysticism while potentially sensitive in more conservative religious contexts.

Fun Facts

Samael appears in over 20 texts of Jewish mystical literature including the Talmud and the Zohar
Swiss metal band Samael has been active since 1987 and helped introduce the name to Western audiences
In the TV show Good Omens (2019), the character Beelzebub references the same angelic tradition as Samael

Samael in Other Languages

Greek Σαμαήλ

Latin Samael

Arabic سمائيل

Hebrew סַמָּאֵל

Famous People Named Samael

Samael (Kabbalistic angel)

Religious

Powerful angel in Jewish mystical tradition associated with judgment, death, and adversarial forces

Samael (band)

Musician

Swiss extreme metal band formed in 1987 named after the Kabbalistic figure

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #2,901
Total SSA Count: 44
Cultural Origins: Jewish mystical Western occult Literary
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Alternative Spellings

Samarth #2039 Samar #2297 Samay #3342 Samari #3621

Common Nicknames

Sam Sammy

Pairs Well With

Samael James Samael Luke Samael Cole Samael Gray Samael Rex

Sibling Names

Azrael Raphael Gabriel Lilith Seraphina

Similar Names

Solomon Nathaniel Lemuel Simeon Rafael Ishmael Nathanial Raphael

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Samael

What does the name Samael mean?

"blindness of God" (from Hebrew). "angel of death" (from Jewish mysticism). Samael is a name from Jewish mystical tradition (Kabbalah), composed of the Hebrew sam (poison, venom) or possibly shama (to hear) and El (God). In the Talmud and Kabbalistic texts, Samael is a powerful angel who serves as a prosecuting angel, the angel of death, and in some texts as an adversarial figure. The name appears in texts like the Zohar and the Book of Enoch. Unlike its near-twin Samuel (which means God has heard), Samael carries significantly darker mystical connotations.

What is the origin of the name Samael?

Samael has Hebrew, Jewish mysticism, Jewish mystical, Western occult, and Literary origins. In Hebrew, it means "blindness of God". In Jewish mysticism, it means "angel of death".

Is Samael a boy or girl name?

Samael is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Samael?

Samael is currently ranked #2901 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Samael?

Common nicknames for Samael include Sam and Sammy.

What are good middle names for Samael?

Popular middle name pairings include Samael James, Samael Luke, Samael Cole, Samael Gray, and Samael Rex.

What are good sibling names for Samael?

Names that pair well with Samael as siblings include Azrael, Raphael, Gabriel, Lilith, and Seraphina.

How many syllables does Samael have?

Samael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Samael a common or rare name?

Samael is an uncommon name, ranked #2901 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Samael

Samael is a boy name with Jewish mystical, Western occult, and Literary origins . The name means "blindness of God" in Hebrew .

Samael is currently ranked #2,901 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Samael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Samael include Sam and Sammy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Samael include Samarth, Samar, Samay, Samari . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.