Samuel is a male given name of Hebrew origin. It is composed of two elements: "shama", which means "name" or "reputation", and "el", meaning "God". Therefore, the name Samuel can be translated as "named by God".
The name Samuel first appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. He was a prophet and the last judge of ancient Israel. According to the biblical narrative, Samuel was born to Hannah, who had been barren for many years but eventually conceived after praying to God at the Shiloh Tabernacle. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him to the tabernacle and left him in the care of the high priest Eli.
The name Samuel became popular among Christians during the Middle Ages due to its biblical origins. It has since become a widely used name throughout the world, especially in English-speaking countries.
Samuel is often shortened or nicknamed "Sam" in everyday usage. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time but remains quite common today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Samuel was among the top 20 most popular boys' names between 1998 and 2018.
In terms of its meaning and origin, the name Samuel carries a strong religious connotation due to its biblical roots. However, it is also associated with wisdom and learning because of its connection to the prophet Samuel in the Bible. Overall, the name Samuel has a rich history and a meaningful translation that makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet classic name for their child.
The name Samuel has seen a varied range of popularity over the past century in the United States, as indicated by the annual birth statistics provided.
From 1918 to 1967, there were periods where the name Samuel was quite popular among parents choosing names for their newborn sons. The highest number of births during this time occurred in 1949, with 13 boys named Samuel born that year. However, there were also several years where the name's popularity declined significantly, such as in 1962 and 1967, with only 5 births each.
The trend seemed to shift again from the late 1960s onwards, with a noticeable increase in popularity starting around the mid-1980s. From 1984 to 1990, the number of boys named Samuel born each year ranged between 5 and 8. After a brief decline in the late 1990s, the name's popularity surged again at the beginning of the new millennium, with 9 births in 2001.
Despite fluctuations over time, the name Samuel has maintained a consistent presence among newborn boys in the United States throughout the past century. In total, based on the provided statistics, there have been 314 boys named Samuel born in the U.S. during this period. This demonstrates that while trends may come and go, some names like Samuel remain timeless and continue to be chosen by parents generation after generation.