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Samuil

♂ Boy

Pronounced sah-moo-EEL /sɑ.muˈiːl/Medium

Meaning: The Russian, Bulgarian and Macedonian form of Samuel, from Hebrew Shemuel — usually read as 'God has heard' (shama, 'to hear', plus El, 'God'), with an alternative reading 'name of God' or 'asked of God'. It came into Slavic languages through Greek Samouel and the Orthodox church.Medium

In 30 seconds: The Slavic Samuel: Samuil means 'God has heard' (said 'sah-moo-EEL'). An old biblical name with an Eastern accent.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Russian, Bulgarian

MeaningThe Russian, Bulgarian and Macedonian form of Samuel, from Hebrew Shemuel — usually read as 'God has heard' (shama, 'to hear', plus El, 'God'), with an alternative reading 'name of God' or 'asked of God'. It came into Slavic languages through Greek Samouel and the Orthodox church.

U.S. rank (2024)#13833 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 21

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Samuil is the Slavic shape of biblical Samuel, Hebrew Shemuel, usually explained as 'God has heard' — from shama ('to hear') and El ('God'). The prophet Samuel anointed Israel's first kings; his name reached the Slavic world through Greek and the Orthodox church, and was borne by Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria (died 1014). It remains in use in Russia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia (said 'sah-moo-EEL').

In the U.S. it is rare, standing well behind Samuel. Rare, historic, and Slavic.

Did you know? Samuil is Samuel in Russian, Bulgarian and Macedonian. Tsar Samuil ruled Bulgaria around the year 1000, so this spelling carries real Balkan history alongside its Hebrew meaning, 'God has heard'.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Samuil — Slavic form of Samuel; Hebrew Shemuel, 'God has heard'; Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria

Variations

SamuelSamvelSamuele

Nicknames

SamSamu

Famous Bearers

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If you like Samuil…

Samuel— the English form of the same biblical name

Mikhail— a like Slavic form of a biblical classic

Daniil— a like Russian biblical name with final stress

Gabriel— a like -el name meaning something of God

Explore names like Samuil

By themeheritage biblical slavic russian

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Samuil mean?

Samuil means 'God has heard'. It is the Slavic form of Samuel, from Hebrew Shemuel.

How do you pronounce Samuil?

It's said sah-moo-EEL /sɑ.muˈiːl/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Samuil a boy or girl name?

Samuil is a boy's name.

How popular is Samuil?

Samuil is rare in the U.S., though familiar in Russia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia.