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Home › Baby Names Directory › Samuel

Samuel

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAM-yoo-ul /ˈsæm.ju.əl/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Shemuel, read as 'God has heard' or 'name of God' — the prophet who anointed Saul and David. Samuel is overwhelmingly a boys' name; its use for a girl is very rare, and we flag the lean honestly.Medium

In 30 seconds: A great biblical name: Samuel is Hebrew for 'God has heard' (said 'SAM-yoo-ul'). It is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningFrom Hebrew Shemuel, read as 'God has heard' or 'name of God' — the prophet who anointed Saul and David. Samuel is overwhelmingly a boys' name; its use for a girl is very rare, and we flag the lean honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#13186 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,880

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198518902024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Samuel comes from Hebrew Shemuel, understood as 'God has heard' or 'name of God.' In the Books of Samuel he is the prophet and judge who anoints Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. The name has been a mainstay of English-speaking naming since the Reformation. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; its appearance on the girls' side is very rare and we flag that honestly (said 'SAM-yoo-ul').

For girls it is extremely rare in the U.S., against very heavy boys' use. Rare for girls, biblical, and classic.

Did you know? Samuel's name is explained in scripture by his mother Hannah, who prayed for a child: she called him Samuel 'because I asked the Lord for him.' It is overwhelmingly a boys' name, which we note.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Samuel — Hebrew Shemuel 'God has heard'; prophet Samuel; strong boy-lean

Variations

SamuelaSamuelleSamantha

Nicknames

SamSammySami

Famous Bearers

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If you like Samuel…

Samantha— the familiar girls' name that shares the sound
Emmanuelle— a like biblical name in feminine use
Gabrielle— another scriptural name softened for girls
Isobel— lands in the same popularity range
Abigael— echoes that soft -el sound

Explore names like Samuel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Samuel mean?

Samuel is Hebrew for 'God has heard' (or 'name of God'), from Shemuel.

How do you pronounce Samuel?

It's said SAM-yoo-ul /ˈsæm.ju.əl/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Samuel a boy or girl name?

Samuel is overwhelmingly a boy's name; girls' use is very rare, which we note. Samantha or Samuela are the usual feminine choices.

How popular is Samuel?

Samuel is a long-standing favorite for boys; for girls it is extremely rare.

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