Samuel
From Latin Samuēl, from Ancient Greek Σαμουήλ (Samouḗl), from Biblical Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (šəmûʾēl, literally “'God has set' or 'God has placed'”).
Every Samuel since 1880 — 823,085 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Samuel
Samuel is a top-50 name for boys in the United States, ranked #18 in 2025 with 8,334 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 823,085 American babies have been named Samuel. Its peak came in 2001, when 14,845 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Samuel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Samuel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,753 | 8,334 | #18 |
| 2024 | 7 | #13,235 | 8,355 | #17 |
| 2023 | 10 | #10,196 | 8,038 | #19 |
| 2022 | 8 | #12,067 | 8,427 | #19 |
| 2021 | 6 | #14,967 | 8,580 | #23 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7,897 | 8,594 | #25 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10,346 | 9,322 | #22 |
| 2018 | 12 | #9,061 | 9,854 | #21 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,381 | 10,449 | #21 |
| 2016 | 16 | #7,546 | 10,621 | #21 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,394 | 10,905 | #23 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,419 | 11,029 | #23 |
| 2013 | 14 | #8,505 | 11,141 | #25 |
| 2012 | 14 | #8,556 | 11,470 | #25 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16,423 | 11,366 | #26 |
| 2010 | 28 | #5,082 | 11,971 | #24 |
| 2009 | 20 | #6,772 | 12,181 | #24 |
| 2008 | 24 | #5,924 | 12,774 | #27 |
| 2007 | 16 | #8,026 | 13,367 | #25 |
| 2006 | 19 | #6,791 | 13,652 | #25 |
| 2005 | 26 | #5,086 | 14,271 | #21 |
| 2004 | 54 | #2,957 | 14,131 | #23 |
| 2003 | 25 | #5,064 | 14,691 | #23 |
| 2002 | 19 | #6,080 | 14,579 | #25 |
| 2001 | 32 | #4,013 | 14,813 | #26 |
| 2000 | 27 | #4,506 | 14,188 | #28 |
| 1995 | 29 | #3,756 | 12,440 | #33 |
| 1990 | 34 | #3,279 | 10,894 | #45 |
| 1985 | 64 | #1,781 | 7,009 | #54 |
| 1980 | 36 | #2,640 | 6,014 | #54 |
| 1975 | 37 | #2,270 | 4,619 | #61 |
| 1970 | 26 | #2,766 | 4,558 | #62 |
| 1965 | 26 | #2,395 | 4,395 | #84 |
| 1960 | 27 | #2,290 | 4,711 | #91 |
| 1955 | 23 | #2,326 | 5,535 | #71 |
| 1950 | 18 | #2,418 | 5,227 | #62 |
| 1945 | 16 | #2,221 | 3,957 | #62 |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,837 | 3,364 | #65 |
| 1935 | 17 | #1,991 | 3,149 | #62 |
| 1930 | 19 | #1,926 | 3,531 | #55 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,739 | 4,405 | #46 |
| 1920 | 17 | #2,248 | 4,654 | #44 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,868 | 4,351 | #39 |
| 1910 | — | — | 1,129 | #32 |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,672 | 856 | #30 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,900 | 877 | #33 |
| 1895 | — | — | 814 | #25 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,506 | 815 | #20 |
| 1885 | — | — | 888 | #18 |
| 1880 | — | — | 1,024 | #17 |
Famous people named Samuel
- Samuel Religious figure · -1100–-1010
- Samuel Beckett Writer · 1906–1989
- Samuel Morse Inventor · 1791–1872
- Samuel Colt Inventor · 1814–1862
- Samuel L. Jackson Actor · b. 1948
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samuel mean?
From Latin Samuēl, from Ancient Greek Σαμουήλ (Samouḗl), from Biblical Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (šəmûʾēl, literally “'God has set' or 'God has placed'”).
How popular is the name Samuel in 2025?
Samuel ranked #18 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8,334 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Samuel?
823,085 babies have been named Samuel in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Samuel most popular?
Samuel peaked in 2001, when 14,845 newborns received the name.
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Samuel rising or falling?
Samuel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Samuel?
Well-known people named Samuel include Samuel (religious figure), Samuel Beckett (writer), Samuel Morse (inventor).