Samael

Meaning & origin

Samael is a name drawn from Jewish angelology, most commonly recognized as an angel of death or a satanic figure in certain traditions. Despite its ancient mythological weight, Samael only entered U.S. birth records in 1998, reflecting a modern willingness to adopt names with dark or occult associations. Its highest point of use came in 2022 when it reached peak rank, but since that year its frequency has fallen, as noted in its trajectory. In 2025 the name ranked 3,314th, with about 1 in every 48,802 boys receiving it. It is most common in Texas and California, states with large and diverse populations that often drive unconventional naming trends. Parents drawn to Samael may appreciate its unique sound and ties to religious history, though they should be aware of its strong and potentially negative connotations in some contexts.

Samael is a figure in Jewish lore, often considered an angel of death or a chief demon. The name appears in post-biblical texts such as the Talmud and apocryphal literature, where Samael is associated with temptation and destruction. Despite its ancient roots, as a given name for boys it is a modern, rare choice in English-speaking countries, first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1998.