Samuel
Hebrew boy's name meaning “God has heard; asked of God”
- Gender
- Boy
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God has heard; asked of God
- Syllables
- 2
- Letters
- 6
- US rank (2023)
- #20
- Born in 2023
- 8,019
- Peak year
- 2024 (#17)
Meaning & origin
Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel.
Is Samuel a Hebrew name?
Yes — Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard; asked of God". Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel. You may also see it described as biblical, which refer to the same root.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Samuel ranked #20 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 8,019 US boys were given the name Samuel.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #17 in 2024
“Unranked” means Samuel was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more boy names starting with S.
How to spell Samuel
Samuel is spelled S-A-M-U-E-L — 6 letters and 2 syllables.
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy
Samuel: frequently asked questions
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard; asked of God". Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel.
Where does the name Samuel come from?
Samuel is of Hebrew origin. Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel.
Is Samuel a boy or a girl name?
Samuel is most commonly a boy's name.
How many babies are named Samuel?
In 2023, 8,019 US boys were given the name Samuel.
Is Samuel a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Samuel ranked #20 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for Samuel?
Common nicknames for Samuel include Sam, Sammy.
How do you spell Samuel?
Samuel is spelled S-A-M-U-E-L — 6 letters.
How common is the name Samuel?
In 2023, 8,019 US boys were given the name Samuel. In the latest US data, Samuel ranked #20 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Samuel a Hebrew name?
Yes — Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard; asked of God". Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel. You may also see it described as biblical, which refer to the same root.
What does Samuel mean in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, Samuel means "God has heard; asked of God". Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, variously read as 'God has heard', 'name of God', or 'asked of God' — in the Bible, Hannah names him because she 'asked the Lord for him'. The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel.
Is Samuel a biblical name?
Samuel is usually classified as Hebrew, and biblical belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as biblical too. It means "God has heard; asked of God".