Fun Facts About the Name Penuel
- 6 babies named Penuel: U.S. records list 6 babies given the name Penuel from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Penuel Mean?
Penuel is a Hebrew name meaning "face of God." It is formed from the Hebrew noun pānîm (פָּנִים), "face," and ʾēl (אֵל), "God." The biblical Hebrew form is פְּנוּאֵל. A closely related form, Peniel (פְּנִיאֵל), uses the same two elements and is commonly given the same meaning; the difference is one of Hebrew spelling and vocalization, not separate origin.
In Genesis 32:30, the place name Peniel is explained by Jacob's words that he had seen God face to face. That narrative supplies the customary interpretation, "face of God," while the literal etymology rests on the two Hebrew elements. The verse's explanation is an explanatory story about the name, not a separate linguistic derivation.
Penuel Name History & Origins
Penuel appears in the Hebrew Bible as a place name. In Genesis 32, the site is called Peniel in verse 30 and Penuel in verse 31; the two forms stand side by side in the same narrative about Jacob. Judges 8 places Penuel east of the Jordan, near Succoth: the men of Penuel refuse Gideon bread, and he later breaks down the tower of Penuel and punishes the men of the city. The exact site has not been identified with certainty.
The place is named again in 1 Kings 12:25, where Jeroboam builds Penuel after building Shechem. The name also occurs as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible: 1 Chronicles 4:4 lists Penuel as the father of Gedor in a Judahite genealogy, and 1 Chronicles 8:25 lists Penuel as a Benjamite son of Shashak.
English Bibles transliterate the Hebrew name directly as Penuel, and the related Peniel also appears in English translations of Genesis. Christian readers have connected Jacob's struggle at Peniel and Penuel with encountering God and receiving a blessing, but that symbolic reading is later interpretation rather than the name's original sense.
How Popular is the Name Penuel?
Penuel has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #11,658 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #11,658 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Penuel Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Penuel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Penuel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.