Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "name of God" or "God hears". It is derived from the Hebrew elements "shem" meaning "name" and "el" meaning "God".
The name Samuel first appears in the Bible, where he is introduced as the last judge of ancient Israel and the prophet who anointed King David. In the story, Hannah, Samuel's mother, prayed for a son and promised to dedicate him to God if her wish was granted. When Samuel was born, Hannah fulfilled her promise and took him to live with the priest Eli at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Eli eventually became blind and Samuel grew up to become a prominent figure in Jewish history.
The name Samuel has been used by various famous individuals throughout history, including Samuel Johnson, an English writer and lexicographer; Samuel Morse, the American inventor of Morse code; and Samuel Beckett, an Irish playwright and novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Today, Samuel remains a popular name worldwide, ranking among the top 500 names for boys in several countries.
In summary, Samuel is a name with ancient roots and significant historical importance. Its meaning, "God hears", reflects its biblical origins and continues to resonate with people of various backgrounds and faiths today.
The statistics provided show the number of babies named Samuel born each year in the United States from 1940 to 2009. The name Samuel was most popular during the peak years of 1945 and 1953, with six births recorded each year. Interestingly, there was a gap of over three decades before the number of Samuel births picked up again in 1987, with seven babies named Samuel that year. Since then, the name has maintained moderate popularity, with five to seven births each year until 2009.
Over the entire period from 1940 to 2009, a total of 58 babies were named Samuel in the United States. This shows that while the name may have had its peaks and valleys in terms of popularity over the years, it has consistently remained a popular choice among parents during this time period.