Samuel

The name Samuel is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the biblical name Shemu'el, which means "heard by God".

Meaning of the Name Samuel

The name Samuel carries a strong religious significance, as it appears frequently throughout the Bible. The name is associated with the story of Hannah, who prayed for a child and was granted a son whom she named Samuel. Samuel went on to become a prophet and judge in ancient Israel, playing an important role in the country's history.

Popularity and Trends

The name Samuel has been consistently popular throughout history, with a steady presence in the top 100 baby names for boys in the United States. It was particularly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but has remained a popular choice for parents in recent years. In 2021, Samuel ranked at #22 on the Social Security Administration's list of top baby names.

Notable Namesakes

• Samuel Adams, American statesman and Founding Father who played a key role in the American Revolution
• Samuel L. Jackson, American actor known for his roles in films such as Pulp Fiction and the Marvel Cinematic Universe
• Samuel Morse, American inventor and artist who developed the Morse code communication system
• Samuel Beckett, Irish playwright and novelist known for his works such as Waiting for Godot

Interesting Facts

• The name Samuel is particularly popular in Jewish and Christian communities due to its strong religious significance.
• In addition to its biblical roots, the name Samuel has been used in literature and popular culture. Notable examples include Samuel Pickwick, the protagonist in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers, and Samuel Vimes, a character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
• Samuel is a unisex name, although it is more commonly given to boys.

Samuel rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)

• Rank 19. Sebastian
• Rank 20. Ethan
• Rank 21. Logan
• Rank 22. Owen
• Rank 23. Samuel
• Rank 24. Jacob
• Rank 25. Asher
• Rank 26. Aiden
• Rank 27. John

Nicknames for Samuel

Sam	sam	Shortened version of the name.
Sammy	sam-ee	Endearing form of the name.
Sambo	sam-bo	Old-fashioned nickname, now considered offensive.
Sammie	sam-ee	Variant of "Sammy".
Sami	sam-ee	Shortened version of the name.
Sams	sams	Shortened version of the name.

Famous people named Samuel

Samuel L. Jackson	Acting	American actor known for his roles in movies such as Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Samuel Adams	Politics	One of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a key figure in the American Revolution. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later served as Governor of Massachusetts.
Samuel Morse	Invention	American inventor and artist who is best known for inventing the Morse code, a system of communication that uses dots and dashes to represent letters and numbers.
Samuel Beckett	Literature	Irish playwright, novelist, and poet who is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969.
Samuel Colt	Invention	American inventor and industrialist who is best known for inventing the Colt revolver, a firearm that revolutionized the industry and helped shape the American West.
Samuel Johnson	Literature	English writer, critic, and lexicographer who is best known for his A Dictionary of the English Language, which was published in 1755 and served as the standard reference for over a century.
Samuel Eto'o	Sports	Cameroonian retired footballer who is considered one of the greatest African players of all time. He won numerous titles with clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, as well as with the Cameroon national team.
Samuel Pepys	History	English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is best known for his detailed diary, which provides a valuable historical record of life in 17th century England.
Samuel Barber	Music	American composer who is best known for his Adagio for Strings, which has become one of the most popular and recognizable pieces of classical music in the world.
Samuel Huntington	Politics	American political scientist and diplomat who served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He is also known for his work on the "clash of civilizations" theory.

Fictional character called Samuel from pop culture

Samuel L. Jackson	acting	Pulp Fiction', 'The Avengers', and 'Snakes on a Plane' are just a few of the many movies he has appeared in.
Sam Winchester	TV character	Supernatural' character played by Jared Padalecki.
Samwise Gamgee	book and movie character	The Lord of the Rings' character played by Sean Astin.
Sam Malone	TV character	Cheers' character played by Ted Danson.
Sam Flynn	movie character	Tron: Legacy' character played by Garrett Hedlund.
Samwell Tarly	TV and book character	Game of Thrones' character played by John Bradley.
Sam Witwicky	movie character	Transformers' character played by Shia LaBeouf.
Sam Shakusky	movie character	Moonrise Kingdom' character played by Jared Gilman.
Sam Seaborn	TV character	The West Wing' character played by Rob Lowe.
Sam Tyler	TV character	Life on Mars' character played by John Simm.

Frequently Asked Questions about Samuel

What is the meaning of the name Samuel?	The name Samuel means 'heard by God' or 'name of God' in Hebrew.
Is Samuel a popular name?	Yes, Samuel has been a popular name for several decades and is still commonly used today.
What are some famous people named Samuel?	Some famous people named Samuel include Samuel L. Jackson, Samuel Adams, and Samuel Morse.
Is Samuel a biblical name?	Yes, Samuel is a biblical name. In the Bible, Samuel was a prophet and judge of Israel.
What are some nicknames for Samuel?	Some common nicknames for Samuel include Sam, Sammy, and Sammie.
What is the origin of the name Samuel?	The name Samuel has Hebrew origins and is derived from the words 'shama' meaning 'to hear' and 'el' meaning 'God'.