Rising since 1986, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Kemuel since 1970
Babies named Kemuel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 76 |
| 2000s | 137 |
| 2010s | 205 |
| 2020s | 134 |
Meaning & origin
Kemuel is a biblical name with a rare but steady presence in the United States since the 1970s. First recorded in 1970, it reached its peak popularity in 2020, and has been rising in use since 1986. Currently ranked 3,949 (2025), it occurs in about 1 in every 63,262 male births, reflecting its continued niche appeal. The name belongs to a minor biblical figure, giving it a religious gravitas that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive Old Testament name. Its steady upward trajectory since the mid-1980s suggests a slow but growing appreciation, though it remains uncommon nationwide with no single state showing concentrated usage.
Kemuel appears in the Hebrew Bible as a name of several minor figures, including a son of Nahor in Genesis 22:21 and a prince of Ephraim in Numbers 34:24. The name is often interpreted as meaning 'God has established' or 'congregation of God,' though the precise derivation is debated. It has been used sparingly in English-speaking countries, primarily among religious families, and saw a modest revival in the late 20th century.
“Kemuel” around the world
Where Kemuel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kem, Kemy, El
Variants: Cemuel
Sibling names for Kemuel
Names that share Kemuel's style, for a brother or sister.
