Samuel

Samuel is a Hebrew name derived from the elements Shemu'el, most commonly interpreted as meaning either God has heard or name of God, combining the roots shem (name) or shama (to hear) with El (God). In the Hebrew Bible, Samuel is a pivotal prophet and judge who anointed the first kings of Israel, Saul and David, giving the name enduring religious significance across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name spread widely through Europe following the Protestant Reformation, when biblical names gained renewed popularity. Closely related forms include the Spanish and Italian Samuele, the Finnish Sami, and the short forms Sam and Sammy.