Samuel Name Meaning, Origin and Pronunciation

ByNamelyra Editorial Team

Samuel is a Hebrew-origin boy’s name meaning “God has heard,” or in some readings, “name of God.”
Meaning God has heard (most commonly cited); alternate reading: name of God
Origin Hebrew
Pronunciation SAM-yoo-uhl
Gender Boy
Related forms Sam, Sammy

Origin and history

Samuel is best known as the name of the Hebrew prophet and final judge of Israel described in the Hebrew Bible’s Books of Samuel, whose birth story directly ties to the “God has heard” meaning, referencing his mother’s prayers being answered. The name has stayed in continuous, widespread use across Jewish and Christian naming traditions ever since.

Is Samuel a boy or girl name?

Samuel is used almost exclusively as a boy’s name.

Nicknames for Samuel

  • Sam
  • Sammy

Frequently asked questions

Why does Samuel mean “God has heard”?

The Biblical narrative directly ties the name to his mother Hannah’s prayers being answered by God, which is the source of that specific meaning rather than a general translation.

Is Samuel still a commonly given name today?

Yes, it has remained a consistently used, classic boys’ name across English-speaking countries for generations.

Related reading

Related culture pages: Biblical boy names, Hebrew and Jewish names.