Samuel
Samuel is a Christian boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Name of God; often God has heard”.
| Meaning | Name of God; often God has heard |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | שְׁמוּאֵל |
| Pronunciation | SAM-yoo-uhl |
| Tradition | Christian, Jewish |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Samuel
Samuel comes from Hebrew Shemu'el. Its meaning is debated: it is usually read as 'name of God' (shem + El), while the biblical story links it to the verb shama, 'to hear', because his mother Hannah had asked God for a son. Samuel was the last of the judges of Israel and the prophet who anointed Saul and later David. The name has been used continuously by Jews and Christians and is popular across Europe and the Americas.
Is Samuel a Christian name?
Samuel is a biblical name: the prophet's life is told in the First Book of Samuel, which opens with Hannah's prayer for a child. He is also honoured in Islamic tradition as the prophet Shamwil.
How popular is Samuel?
A classic name that remains widely used in the English-speaking world, Israel and Europe.
Gifts with the name Samuel
- Samuel name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Samuel baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Samuel
Names similar to Samuel
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel means 'Name of God; often God has heard'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Samuel a Christian name?
Samuel is a biblical name: the prophet's life is told in the First Book of Samuel, which opens with Hannah's prayer for a child. He is also honoured in Islamic tradition as the prophet Shamwil.
How do you pronounce Samuel?
Samuel is pronounced SAM-yoo-uhl.
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is usually a boy name.