"She bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Samuel Meaning in the Bible
Samuel
boy
Samuel means "Heard by God; Asked of God", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Samuel appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Samuel 1:20 is the passage most often tied to it. Samuel's name declares that God hears our prayers. His life encourages us to listen for God's voice and respond with willing obedience, knowing that He answers those who call upon Him.
Is Samuel in the Bible?
Yes — Samuel appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 1:20.
Pronunciation:/SAM-yoo-ul/
What does Samuel mean?
Samuel is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Heard by God; Asked of God". Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God," reflecting the answered prayer of his mother Hannah. He was the last judge of Israel and the prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings.
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Editor’s reflection
'Asked of God' — a child given back to the God his mother begged for him.
Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shmu'el) is usually explained as sha'ul me'El, 'asked of God,' following Hannah's own words: 'because I have asked him of the LORD' (1 Samuel 1:20). Linguistically the elements point more naturally to shem El, 'name of God,' or shama El, 'God has heard.' The text's etymology is theological rather than strictly grammatical — a common feature of Hebrew naming scenes.
Samuel is the last of the judges, the first of the prophets after Moses in the settled land, and the man who anoints Israel's first two kings. Few figures in Scripture sit across so many offices. Acts 3:24 treats him as the head of the prophetic line: 'all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after.'
His call in 1 Samuel 3 is the passage children learn first: a boy sleeping in the temple, hearing his name three times, running to Eli each time until the old priest realises what is happening and teaches him the answer — 'Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.' The verse before it is bleak and easy to miss: 'the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.'
Samuel has been comfortably inside the US top 30 for two decades and carries two very different short forms — Sam, plain and unpretentious, and Sammy, warmer. It also crosses languages easily (Samuele, Samuil, Shmuel), and unlike many prophets, his namesake is remembered for listening rather than thundering.
“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
Why parents choose Samuel today
- •Last judge, first prophet of the monarchy, and anointer of kings
- •His call narrative is the classic Bible story about listening
- •Sam and Sammy give warm, unpretentious short forms
- •Top-30 US name for two decades with wide international use
What does Samuel mean in the Bible?
Samuel means "Heard by God; Asked of God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God," reflecting the answered prayer of his mother Hannah. He was the last judge of Israel and the prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings.
Samuel served God from childhood, growing up in the tabernacle under the priest Eli. As a young boy, he heard God's voice calling him in the night — his response, "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth," became a model of spiritual receptivity for all believers.
Samuel's ministry bridged the era of the judges and the monarchy. His integrity, prophetic accuracy, and faithful leadership established the standard by which all subsequent prophets and leaders would be measured.
Where does Samuel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Samuel is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 1:20. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Samuel?
Samuel has 3 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Samuele
Common nicknames
Sam
Sammy
Who was Samuel in the Bible?
Samuel is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Samuel in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Samuel?
Samuel is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Samuel?
Samuel's name declares that God hears our prayers. His life encourages us to listen for God's voice and respond with willing obedience, knowing that He answers those who call upon Him.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Samuel:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
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Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Commentary
2 Samuel 7:28 Commentary
In-depth study • God's Faithful Promises
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Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Character
Samuel in the Bible
The Last Judge
What names are related to Samuel?
Names like Samuel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Heard by God; Asked of God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Samuel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Samuel
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Samuel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Both readings circulate. 1 Samuel 1:20 links the name to Hannah asking the LORD for a child, giving 'asked of God.' The Hebrew elements themselves suggest shama El, 'God has heard,' or shem El, 'name of God.' Hebrew naming scenes often work by wordplay rather than strict etymology, so the biblical explanation and the linguistic one can differ without either being wrong.
Yes — Samuel appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 1:20.
Samuel means "Heard by God; Asked of God." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Samuel 1:20, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Samuel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Samuel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Samuel?
You can read every verse where Samuel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.