"blindness of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Samael
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An ancient angelic name from the depths of Jewish mysticism
Jewish mystical
Western occult
Literary
Bold
Spiritual
Unique
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"angel of death"
Origin: Jewish mysticism
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Samael first appeared in US Social Security records in 1998.
Over 488 babies have been named Samael in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Samael is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,901 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#2,901
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Samael
S
Samael (Kabbalistic angel)
Religious
Powerful angel in Jewish mystical tradition associated with judgment, death, and adversarial forces
S
Samael (band)
Musician
Swiss extreme metal band formed in 1987 named after the Kabbalistic figure
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Compare Samael with:
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
Common Nicknames
Sam
Sammy
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 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Samael
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Samael?
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.
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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