Fun Facts About the Name Samil
- 143 babies named Samil: U.S. records list 143 babies given the name Samil from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Samil Mean?
Samil is a spelling of the Arabic name Shāmil (شامل), whose meaning is "comprehensive," "all-encompassing," or "inclusive." It is the active participle of the verb shamala (شمل), "to include, encompass, or comprise," built on the root sh-m-l. In Arabic the word describes something that takes in or covers everything within its range, and this is the sense the name carries.
The spelling Samil reflects how the name is written in Turkish and Azerbaijani, where it appears as Şamil, and in languages that omit the Arabic letter shīn (ش) or the Turkish cedilla. Shamil and Samil are two English renderings of the same name.
Samil is not related to the Arabic name Sāmī (سامي), "sublime" or "exalted," which comes from a different root (s-m-w), nor to the Hebrew name Samuel, despite the similar look of the written forms.
Samil Name History & Origins
The name comes from the Arabic adjective shāmil, which was adopted as a personal name in Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities. As Arabic vocabulary and naming customs spread with Islam, the name was taken into Turkish as Şamil and also appears in Persian, Azerbaijani, and the languages of the North Caucasus. The Turkish and Azerbaijani form Şamil keeps the initial sh sound; the spelling Samil drops the cedilla and the Arabic shīn, so that the written s no longer shows the original pronunciation.
The most famous historical bearer is Imam Shamil (1797 - 1871), an Avar religious and military leader who headed the Caucasian Imamate's resistance to the Russian Empire in Dagestan and Chechnya and was captured at Gunib in 1859. The name is used among Avar, Chechen, and other Caucasian Muslims, and among Turkish and Azerbaijani speakers. In Malay- and Indonesian-language writing it is usually spelled Syamil, following Arabic transliteration practice rather than the Turkish form.
How Popular is the Name Samil?
Samil 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 2012. Its best rank was #6,576 in 2012.
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 | #9,557 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #8,183 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #11,989 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #9,533 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2020 | #11,760 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #10,606 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #10,545 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #8,710 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #8,058 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2015 | #9,419 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2014 | #8,020 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2012 | #6,576 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2011 | #12,001 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #10,553 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #10,768 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #9,412 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #12,884 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #7,741 | 8 | 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 Samil Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Samil's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Samil's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.