How Many People Are Named Samuel?
Complete statistics for the name Samuel: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Samuel comes from Hebrew roots meaning 'heard by God' or 'name of God', and it's held up remarkably well across centuries. Around 621,282 people named Samuel are living in the US right now, making it 1 in 531 Americans. What's striking is that despite its ancient origins, a huge chunk of those Samuels are young, making it feel a lot more current than you might expect.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 8 in numerology is traditionally linked to ambition, authority, and the drive to build lasting success. People connected to 8 are often seen as natural leaders with a strong sense of discipline and an eye for the bigger picture.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 47All 813,576 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2001Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Samuel Through the Generations
Samuel has been a fixture in American naming for generations, racking up 813,576 births all time, and the fact that 621,282 of those people are still living tells you this name has real staying power across age groups. The peak came in 2001 with 14,845 births in a single year, which lines up with a broader revival of classic biblical names at the turn of the millennium. What makes Samuel genuinely interesting is the age spread. A full 41% of living Samuels, around 331,342 people, are under 30, which gives an ancient name a surprisingly modern feel on the ground. The average age sits at 47, but that number is pulled upward by the 259,117 Samuels over 60. The trend is now declining, so the name may be past its peak, but with 61 years inside the US top 10, Samuel has earned its place as one of the most durable names in American history.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Samuel
Samuel is a male name and a surname of Hebrew origin. It means "name of God", deriving from the Hebrew Shem (שֵׁם) + ʾĒl. However, from the explanation given in 1 Samuel 1:20, the name could alternatively come from a contraction of the Hebrew שְׁאִלְתִּיו מֵאֵל, meaning "I have asked/borrowed him from God". This is the verse in which the Prophet Samuel's mother Hannah names her son, after praying that she would be able to give birth. Her prayers having been answered, she dedicates the child to God as a Nazirite. Samuel was the last of the ruling judges in the Old Testament. He anointed Saul to…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Samuel's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Samuel
How Many People Have the Name Samuel?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 24,616 people in the United States currently share the name Samuel. That works out to roughly 1 in every 13,465 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Samuel a Common or Rare Name?
Samuel is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Samuel Mean?
Samuel means "Heard by God, God's name" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Samuel in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Samuel Most Popular?
The name Samuel reached peak popularity in 2001, with 14,845 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Samuel?
Approximately 24,616 people named Samuel live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 24,616. That works out to roughly 1 in 13,465 Americans.
Is Samuel a rare name?
Samuel is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13,465 Americans has this name.
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel means "Heard by God, God's name" and comes from Hebrew origins.
Is Samuel more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Samuel are male and 0% are female.
When was Samuel most popular?
Samuel peaked in 2001 with 14,845 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.