Rising since 2022, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kamuela since 1975
Babies named Kamuela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 24 |
| 1980s | 69 |
| 1990s | 56 |
| 2000s | 91 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Kamuela, the Hawaiian form of Samuel, is a name that carries deep cultural and religious significance. First recorded in U.S. data in 1975, it has maintained a modest but steady presence, peaking in popularity in 2007. As of 2025, it ranks 12,008 with a frequency of 1 in 341,615 births, and its trajectory has been rising since 2022, reflecting renewed interest in Hawaiian names. While most common in Hawaii, its use remains rare nationally. The name offers a unique way to honor Hawaiian heritage while connecting to the biblical tradition of Samuel.
Kamuela is the Hawaiian transliteration of the Hebrew name Samuel, introduced to Hawaii by Christian missionaries in the 19th century. The name Samuel derives from the Hebrew Shemuel, meaning 'God has heard,' and appears in the Old Testament as a prophet and judge. In Hawaiian, the 's' sound is replaced by 'k' due to phonological differences, and a vowel is added to the end, resulting in Kamuela.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Muela, Kam, Kamu
Sibling names for Kamuela
Names that share Kamuela's style, for a brother or sister.
