Samuel: Name Meaning, Origin, and Bible Story. A great multitude from every nation gathered as one family in dawn light.

Name meaning

Samuel: Meaning, Origin, and the Bible

Hebrew · asked of God, or heard by God · 1 Samuel 1:20

Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning asked of God, or heard by God. In the Bible, the last judge and first great prophet bore this name. Below is its true meaning, its story, a verse that fits it, and a blessing.

In the Bible a name is never only a label. It carries a hope, a prayer, or a story, and again and again God Himself gives or changes a name to mark what He is doing in a life. So to ask what a name means is a good and old question, and it deserves an honest answer, not a guess. Here is the real meaning, where it comes from, and where it can lead.

What the name Samuel means

The name Samuel comes from Hebrew and means asked of God, or heard by God. Names like this were chosen with care, often to remember what God had done or to speak a hope over a child, and the meaning has carried down through the generations to the families who give the name today.

Samuel in the Bible

Hannah, once barren, named her son Samuel, saying, because I have asked him of the LORD. Given back to God at the tabernacle, the boy heard God's call in the night and answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. He judged Israel faithfully and anointed both Saul and David. His name is a monument to answered prayer.

A verse for Samuel

“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”1 Samuel 1:20

“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”1 Samuel 3:10

A blessing for Samuel

Grace and peace be upon Samuel. May the meaning of this name, asked of God, be a small window into a large love, and may Samuel come to know the God who is nearer than any name. We ask that Samuel would be guarded, be glad, and be gathered in time to Jesus Christ, the Bread of life, who says there is room for everyone at His table.

Every name points to one Name

Scripture says God has given Jesus a name which is above every name, and that there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Whatever your name means, its deepest hope is met in Him. He knows His own by name, and He calls them to Himself as the Living Bread, the One who satisfies the hunger no name can fill.

Who is Jesus? · The gospel explained · Begin with Jesus

Go deeperRead the full lifeRead the chapterAll name meanings

Questions people ask

Is Samuel a name in the Bible?

Yes. The last judge and first great prophet bore the name Samuel in Scripture. You can read the account above; the Bible tells the story plainly and honestly.

What does the name Samuel mean?

Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning asked of God, or heard by God.

What does Samuel mean in Hebrew?

In Hebrew, the name Samuel means asked of God, or heard by God. That is its genuine root, not a modern guess.

More name meaningsGideonSamsonHannahEli All name meanings
Enter Living Breadprayer, Scripture, a family near you