Boy’s name · Hebrew

Samuel

How to say it: SAM-yoo-ul · /ˈsæmjuəl/

From the Hebrew Shemu'el meaning 'name of God,' with a folk reading of 'God has heard' from the biblical birth narrative; borne by the Old Testament prophet. source 1

Samuel was the 25th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 8,334 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 24% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #34 by 2030.

Updated October 5, 2026 · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures

#25for boys in 2025

1 in 397US babies

8,334born in 2025

#34projected for 2030

1880sits peak decade

1 in 17chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Samuel
Rank among boys’ names, 2025	#25
Babies born in 2025	8,334
Share of births	1 in 397
Peak decade	1880s
Change over 10 years	−24%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)	#34
In France, 2025	#79 among boys’ names, 855 births

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Always in use, Samuel reached its height long ago in the 1880s. Now well below that peak, a further slip is expected.

Peak: 8,345 per million births, 1880s.

What goes with it

Soft and breathy with a biblical character, Samuel feels strong and steady. Benjamin sits comfortably alongside it in style, and Sam offers a familiar short form.

Middle names that flow with Samuel →