Names › Boys' names › S › Samuel
Samuel
Meaning: God has heard; name of God · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
From Hebrew Shemu'el, often explained as 'God has heard' — the prophet who anointed King David.
Famous people named Samuel
- Samuel Morse (inventor)
- Samuel L. Jackson (actor)
- Samuel Beckett (writer)
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy
Variants & related names
Samuele, Samuil, Shmuel
Samuel name art
A free preview of a printable “Samuel” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel means “God has heard; name of God”. It comes from Hebrew.
Is Samuel a popular name?
Yes — Samuel has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Samuel?
Sam, Sammy.
What are other forms of Samuel?
Samuele, Samuil, Shmuel.
Similar names
Zion · Emmanuel · Gideon · Raphael · Solomon · Reuben
More: names starting with S · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.