Samuel
Meaning: God has heard; name of God
Origin: Hebrew — from Shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל): shema (heard) + El (God)
Gender: Boy
Rank in Australia: #31
Total births: 19,066
History: Samuel surged in the 2000s as biblical names gained popularity in Australia. Sam Kerr became the greatest Australian footballer of all time, male or female, captaining the Matildas to global fame. In Australia, Sam/Samuel now means Matildas magic.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #38 |
| Babies named Samuel in 2025 | 165 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 19,066 |
| Peak year | 1990 (643 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #10 |
| Years in records | 1972–2025 (53 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 6 spots |
Frequently asked about Samuel
What does the name Samuel mean?
Samuel means “God has heard; name of God” from Hebrew — from Shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל): shema (heard) + El (God) roots.
What is the origin of the name Samuel?
Samuel has Hebrew — from Shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל): shema (heard) + El (God) origin. The traditional meaning is “God has heard; name of God”.
How popular is Samuel in Australia?
Samuel ranked #38 in Australia in 2025 — given to 165 babies that year.
When was Samuel most popular?
Samuel peaked in 1990 with 643 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is predominantly a boys' name in Australia — over 90% of Samuels in registered births are male.
How long has Samuel been recorded in Australia?
Samuel appears in birth records in Australia across 53 years — from 1972 through 2025.