Shmuel

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Fact sheet

Name
Shmuel
Gender
Boy name
Syllables
1

The name Shmuel is a contemporary Hebrew and Jewish variant of the biblical name Samuel, which traces back to the ancient Hebrew name śəmūʾēl (שְׁמוּאֵל). The literal translation of Shmuel varies depending on interpretation and means 'asked of God', 'God has heard', as well as 'his name is God'.

What does the name Shmuel mean?

Shmuel is a modern Hebrew and Jewish form of the biblical name Samuel, which is derived from the ancient Hebrew name śəmūʾēl (שְׁמוּאֵל). The translation of the name Shmuel can, depending on the derivation, mean 'asked of God', 'God has heard', or 'his name is God'. Its origin lies in ancient Hebrew, where it is composed of possible first elements sha'ál (שָׁאַל‎), meaning 'to ask, to request', shamá (שָׁמַע), meaning 'to hear, to listen', or shém (שֵׁם), meaning 'name, descendant', combined with the second element 'êl (אֵל), meaning 'God' and 'the Mighty'. Other variants include Schmuel, Shemuel, Samual, Samuli, Samuil, Samuele, Samouel, Samueh, and Samu.

Where does the name Shmuel come from?

The name Shmuel has its roots in ancient Hebrew and carries meanings such as 'God has heard' or 'his name is God' and others. The components consist of sha'ál, meaning 'to ask, to request', or shamá, meaning 'to hear, to listen', and shém, meaning 'name, descendant', together with 'êl, meaning 'God, the Mighty'. It is used in biblical Hebrew and Jewish contexts.

How do you pronounce Shmuel?

Shmuel is pronounced approximately like 'Shmuel'.

When is the name day of Shmuel?

The name day for Shmuel is celebrated on August 20 and October 10.

Popularity

In Germany, Shmuel is a rather rare first name. In 2015, it ranked 3,972nd on the list of the most common male baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2010 at 2,204th place. In the last ten years, Shmuel has been used as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it at 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 5,827th.

Nicknames & pet names

Schmuli / Schmulie

Famous people

  • Schmuel (character in the book 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' by John Boyne)
  • Shmuel Ashkenasi (Israeli violinist)
  • Shmuel Rodensky (actor, singer)
  • Shmuel Sambursky (Israeli historian of science)
  • Shmuel Tamir (Israeli politician)

Frequently asked questions about the name Shmuel

What is the origin of the name Shmuel?

The name Shmuel has its roots in ancient Hebrew and is used in both biblical and Jewish traditions.

What does the name Shmuel mean?

Shmuel means 'God has heard' or 'his name is God', with various elements of the name having different meanings, such as 'to ask', 'to hear', or 'name'.

How popular is the name Shmuel?

Shmuel is quite popular in Jewish communities and among parents who appreciate biblical names. Its modern form is increasingly used outside traditional circles.

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