Samuel is a male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Shmuel," which means "name of God." In the Old Testament of the Bible, Samuel was a prophet who played a crucial role in the establishment of the monarchy in ancient Israel.
The name Samuel has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. In England, it was a common name during the Middle Ages, often associated with royalty due to its use among members of the royal family. For instance, King Henry VIII had a younger brother named Samuel who died in infancy.
In the United States, Samuel became increasingly popular during the 19th century, particularly after the publication of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1852), which featured a character named Samuel. Today, it remains a popular name for boys, consistently ranking among the top 500 names in the U.S.
Some variations and nicknames of Samuel include Sam, Sammy, Shelton, Shimmy, Shimon, and Shimuel. Famous people with the name Samuel include American businessman Sam Walton (founder of Walmart), English novelist Samuel Richardson ("Pamela," "Clarissa"), and American musician Samuel "Sam" Cooke ("Chain Gang," "A Change Is Gonna Come").
In summary, the name Samuel is of Hebrew origin and means "name of God." It has been used throughout history and across different cultures, with notable appearances in royalty and literature. Today, it remains a popular name for boys worldwide, with numerous variations and famous bearers.
The name Sam has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. From 1888 to 2023, there have been a total of 1,533 births with the name Sam.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Sam fluctuated between 5 and 8 births per year. However, starting in the 1910s, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly. In 1913, there were 23 births with the name Sam, marking a significant jump from previous years.
The highest number of births with the name Sam occurred in 2021, with 19 newborns given this name. This is an impressive statistic considering the total number of births in the United States each year is in the millions. It shows that while Sam may not be one of the most popular names, it has maintained a steady level of popularity over time.
It's also interesting to note that the number of babies named Sam has tended to decrease and increase in cycles. For example, there was a peak in the 1920s with around 30 births per year, followed by a decline in the 1930s and 1940s. This pattern repeated itself throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Sam has not been consistently at the top of the popularity charts, it has remained a viable and beloved choice for parents across multiple decades in the United States.