Samuel
Samuel: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsæmjuːəl/
Meaning and origin of Samuel
Root meaning: “I have asked/borrowed him from God”
- A male given name from Hebrew.
Etymology
From Latin Samuēl, from Ancient Greek Σαμουήλ (Samouḗl), from Biblical Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (šəmûʾēl, literally “'God has set' or 'God has placed'”). Taken to mean a contraction of popular folk etymology שְׁאִלְתִּיו מֵאֵל (“I have asked/borrowed him from God”) (Modern: Šəʾīltīv mēʾĒl, Tiberian: Šĭʾīltīw mēʾĒl) by way of שָׁאוּל מֵאֵל (“asked/borrowed from God”) from 1 Samuel 1:20.
How popular is Samuel?
Since 1880, 2,889 girls and 820,196 boys in the U.S. have been named Samuel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1316 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #17 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #18 for boys, with 8,342 babies given the name.
Names similar to Samuel
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Samuel
Sister and brother names that share Samuel's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Samuel FAQ
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel traces back to a root meaning "I have asked/borrowed him from God". A male given name from Hebrew. From Latin Samuēl, from Ancient Greek Σαμουήλ (Samouḗl), from Biblical Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (šəmûʾēl, literally “'God has set' or 'God has placed'”). Taken to mean a contraction of popular folk etymology שְׁאִלְתִּיו מֵאֵל (“I have asked/borrowed him from God”) (Modern: Šəʾīltīv mēʾĒl, Tiberian: Šĭʾīltīw mēʾĒl) by way of שָׁאוּל מֵאֵל (“asked/borrowed from God”) from 1 Samuel 1:20.
What is the origin of the name Samuel?
Samuel is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Samuel?
Since 1880, 2,889 girls and 820,196 boys in the U.S. have been named Samuel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1316 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #17 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #18 for boys, with 8,342 babies given the name.
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,889 girls and 820,196 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.