Samuel
Samuel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Told by God, God has heard, or name of God.
Origin and history
Samuel is a classic biblical name derived from the Hebrew name Shemu'el, traditionally interpreted as meaning 'God has heard' or 'name of God'. It has been a consistently popular masculine name in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880. Modern U.S. parents continue to favor Samuel for its timeless, traditional appeal and approachable nicknames.
Popularity in the United States
820,196 babies in the United States have been named Samuel since 1880. It ranks #39 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #19.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.8 %)
- TX (7.7 %)
- NY (6.7 %)
- PA (6 %)
- OH (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 9,129 |
| 1890-1900 | 7,857 |
| 1900-1910 | 8,149 |
| 1910-1920 | 34,166 |
| 1920-1930 | 43,362 |
| 1930-1940 | 32,135 |
| 1940-1950 | 43,129 |
| 1950-1960 | 53,767 |
| 1960-1970 | 44,247 |
| 1970-1980 | 48,099 |
| 1980-1990 | 73,456 |
| 1990-2000 | 125,597 |
| 2000-2010 | 138,647 |
| 2010-2019 | 108,128 |
| 2020-2029 | 50,328 |
Famous people named Samuel
- Samuel L. Jackson: Actor, Producer
- Samuel Morse: Inventor, Painter
- Samuel Beckett: Playwright, Novelist
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy
Fun facts
- Samuel has remained a top 100 boys' name in the United States for well over a century.
- The U.S. national personification 'Uncle Sam' is said to originate from Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from New York who supplied troops during the War of 1812.