Declining since 1998, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Samual since 1880
Babies named Samual per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1997, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Samual's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 58 |
| 1890s | 24 |
| 1900s | 59 |
| 1910s | 177 |
| 1920s | 340 |
| 1930s | 301 |
| 1940s | 315 |
| 1950s | 386 |
| 1960s | 411 |
| 1970s | 478 |
| 1980s | 656 |
| 1990s | 974 |
| 2000s | 904 |
| 2010s | 392 |
| 2020s | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Samual is a variant spelling of Samuel, rooted in the Hebrew name Shemu'el, meaning 'God has heard.' This spelling was most popular in the 1880s, peaking in 1882. However, its usage has declined steadily since 1998, making it a relatively rare choice today. In 2025, it ranked #6803, with only about 1 in 142,340 boys receiving the name. While historically used, Samual never entered the top 1000 and has no top states in recent years. Its rarity may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive alternative to the more common Samuel.
Samual is a variant spelling of Samuel, derived from the Hebrew name Shemu'el, meaning 'God has heard.' In the Old Testament, Samuel was a prophet and judge who anointed Saul and David as kings. The name has been used by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and the spelling Samual emerged as a phonetic variant in English-speaking countries.
Where Samual is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sam, Sammy
Sibling names for Samual
Names that share Samual's style, for a brother or sister.
