Samuel Name Meaning, Origin, and Biblical Background

Meaning

The meaning of Samuel

Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemuel. The exact explanation is discussed, but the name is commonly connected with hearing, asking, or being heard by God, which fits the birth story of Hannah's prayer.

Sound

How to pronounce Samuel

Phonetic: SAM-yoo-el
IPA: /ˈsæmjuəl/

3 syllables · stress: SAM-yoo-el · ends in a consonant

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

Samuelle
Shemuel
Samuele
Shmuel
Samuil

Short forms and nicknames

Sam
Sammy

Languages

Samuel in other languages

Hebrew: שְׁמוּאֵלShmuel
Greek: ΣαμουήλSamouēl
Latin: Samuel
Spanish: Samuel
French: Samuel
German: Samuel
Italian: Samuele
Russian: СамуилSamuil
Polish: Samuel
Arabic: صَمُوئِيلSamuil

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Samuel appears in 1 Samuel as the child born after Hannah's prayer, then grows into a leader who speaks God's word to Israel. Christian tradition remembers him as a model of listening, calling, and faithful service. For more on prophet names in the Bible and the prophetic tradition, see Biblical prophet names.

Scripture

The biblical figure

In the Bible, Samuel is born to Hannah, serves under Eli, hears God's call as a child, and later anoints Saul and David. His life stands at a turning point between the judges and Israel's monarchy.

Read the full story of Samuel in the Bible

Bearers

Notable people named Samuel

biblical
SamuelProphet, judge, and priest who anointed Saul and David as Israel's first kings
historical
Samuel AdamsAmerican statesman, founding father, and second cousin of John Adams, 1722 to 1803
historical
Samuel JohnsonEnglish writer and lexicographer, author of A Dictionary of the English Language, 1709 to 1784
historical
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeEnglish Romantic poet, author of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, 1772 to 1834
historical
Samuel MorseAmerican painter and inventor of the single-wire telegraph and Morse code, 1791 to 1872
historical
Samuel BeckettIrish playwright, novelist, and Nobel laureate, author of Waiting for Godot, 1906 to 1989
modern
Samuel L. JacksonAmerican actor known for Pulp Fiction and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, born 1948

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Samuel became especially familiar in English-speaking Protestant naming, where Old Testament names were valued for their biblical seriousness and family readability. In the United States it remains a classic biblical name with the easy nickname Sam.

Recent US use

Samuel in recent US use

Rank in 2025: #18
Peak rank: #17 in 1880
Recent trend: stable over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records: 146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Brothers

Sisters

Pairings

Names paired with Samuel

Hannahmother
Samuel is born after Hannah's prayer of distress at Shiloh; she dedicates him to the LORD.
Davidanointed king
Samuel secretly anoints the boy David as king at Bethlehem in 1 Samuel 16.

For families

For families looking at Samuel

For a Christian family, Samuel signals prayer, listening, and steady faithfulness. Sam gives the name a warm everyday form while keeping the biblical story close.

Common questions

What does Samuel mean?

Samuel is commonly connected with God has heard or heard by God.

Is Samuel a biblical name?

Yes. Samuel is a major Old Testament figure in 1 Samuel.

Is Samuel a Christian name?

Yes. Christians have used Samuel for centuries because of the prophet's story and the name's prayerful meaning.

Sources

Sources for Samuel

A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning 'God has heard' or 'heard by God'.
1 Samuel, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: scripture context (1 Samuel 3:10); biblical figure, the prophet Samuel.

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.