"name of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Samuel
Pronunciation: [ s-AMY-ool ]
Does Samuel flow with your last name?
A prophet's name for a future leader
English
Jewish
Christian
American
French
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Literary
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames for Samuel
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The Story of Samuel
Samuel comes from the Hebrew meaning God has heard, composed from the roots to hear and El (God). In the Bible, Samuel was born to Hannah after she prayed fervently for a son; God heard her prayer and Samuel became one of the most important figures in Israelite history — prophet, priest, judge, and king-maker who anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.
Samuel has been a consistently popular name in the English-speaking world for centuries, particularly in New England during the colonial era. It never fell below the top 50 in the US throughout the 20th century and has risen back to the top 20 in recent decades as parents sought classic names with accessible nicknames.
Samuel is a towering figure in the Hebrew Bible. Samuel Adams was a founding father of the United States. Samuel Pepys wrote one of history's most famous diaries. The name has Protestant roots in New England where biblical names were especially prized.
Historical Record
Samuel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 633,795 babies have been named Samuel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Samuel is a steady classic , currently ranked #17 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Samuel Adams, whose name now graces a famous beer brand, organized the Boston Tea Party
- Samuel Beckett wrote Waiting for Godot, one of the most performed plays of the 20th century
- The name Samuel derives from the same Hebrew root as the biblical prayer that led to his birth
Samuel in Other Languages
Arabic
صموئيل
French
Samuel
German
Samuel
Hebrew
שְׁמוּאֵל
Italian
Samuele
Russian
Самуил
Spanish
Samuel
Popularity Over Time
#17
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Samuel
S
Samuel L. Jackson
Actor
1948
American actor and one of the highest-grossing film stars of all time, known for Pulp Fiction and Marvel films
S
S
Samuel Adams
Politician
1722
American statesman, political philosopher, and Founding Father of the United States
S
Samwise Gamgee Fictional
Other
Loyal hobbit companion and true hero of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #17
- Total SSA Count
- 8,310
- Cultural Origins
- English Jewish Christian American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Sam
Sammy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, 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
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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 Samuel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Samuel is also used as a girl name, ranked #19644.
View Samuel as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Samuel
What does the name Samuel mean?
"name of God" (from Hebrew). Samuel comes from the Hebrew meaning God has heard, composed from the roots to hear and El (God). In the Bible, Samuel was born to Hannah after she prayed fervently for a son; God heard her prayer and Samuel became one of the most important figures in Israelite history — prophet, priest, judge, and king-maker who anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.
What is the origin of the name Samuel?
Samuel has Hebrew, English, Jewish, Christian, American, and French origins. In Hebrew, it means "name of God".
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #17. As a girl name, it is ranked #19644. Samuel is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Samuel?
Samuel is pronounced s-AMY-ool.
How popular is the name Samuel?
Samuel is currently ranked #17 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Samuel?
Common nicknames for Samuel include Sam and Sammy.
What are good middle names for Samuel?
Popular middle name pairings include Samuel James, Samuel Thomas, Samuel Alexander, Samuel Joseph, Samuel Edward, Samuel Grey, and Samuel Cole.
What are good sibling names for Samuel?
Names that pair well with Samuel as siblings include Eleanor, Hannah, Nathan, Rebecca, Elijah, Naomi, and Benjamin.
How many syllables does Samuel have?
Samuel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Samuel a common or rare name?
Samuel is a very popular name, ranked #17 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Samuel
Samuel is a boy name with English, Jewish, Christian, American, and French origins . The name means "name of God" in Hebrew .
Is Samuel a boy or girl name? Samuel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #17 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,644. Samuel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Samuel is currently ranked #17 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Samuel has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-AMY-ool, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Samuel include Sam and Sammy. 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