Fun Facts About the Name Shemuel
- 136 babies named Shemuel: U.S. records list 136 babies given the name Shemuel from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Shemuel Mean?
Shemuel is a Hebrew name and the original form behind the name that English Bibles render as Samuel. Its customary meaning is "God has heard." The Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 1:20 links the name to the verb sha'al (שָׁאַל), "to ask," when Hannah says she asked the child of the LORD.
The Hebrew consonants שְׁמוּאֵל (Šəmūʾēl) can be divided in more than one way. One reading takes the first element as shem (שֵׁם), "name," joined to El (אֵל), "God," giving "name of God" or, as a sentence name, "his name is God." A second connects the first element to a verb of hearing or asking plus El, giving "God has heard" or "asked of God." Because the biblical writer explains the name through wordplay rather than grammar, the literal derivation is not settled, and "God has heard" is a traditional interpretation rather than a strict translation.
Shemuel Name History & Origins
Shemuel is the Hebrew form of the prophet's name, written שְׁמוּאֵל in the Hebrew Bible and vocalized in modern Hebrew as Shmuel. The book of 1 Samuel tells his story and gives the wordplay on "asking" at his birth. The same Hebrew name belongs to other figures as well, including Shemuel son of Ammihud, the Simeonite leader listed in Numbers 34:20, and a Shemuel in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles (6:33 and 7:2), so it was not unique to the prophet.
When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek, the initial sh sound had no equivalent, and the name appears as Σαμουήλ (Samouēl). Latin translations used Samuhel and later Samuel, the form that passed into English and most European languages. The spelling Shemuel is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew, keeping the first letter shin and the vocal shewa, so it stays closer to the Hebrew original than the familiar English Samuel.
How Popular is the Name Shemuel?
Shemuel 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 2014. Its best rank was #7,471 in 2014.
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 | #8,807 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #13,877 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #13,865 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #10,675 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #9,556 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | #9,610 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #13,787 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #12,002 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #9,537 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #8,620 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #7,471 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #11,932 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #10,581 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #12,314 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #11,835 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #11,251 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #12,038 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #9,721 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #8,316 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #8,549 | 6 | 0.0003% |
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 Shemuel 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 have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Shemuel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Shemuel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.