Samuel
Meaning: God has heard; name of God
Origin: Hebrew — from Shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל): shema (heard) + El (God)
Gender: Boy
Rank in Ireland: #83
Total births: 5,815
History: In Ireland, the name Samuel recalls the hedge school masters who kept learning alive when education was forbidden under the Penal Laws. It symbolises the stubborn Irish belief that knowledge cannot be suppressed, no matter the punishment. Parents giving this name honour a tradition of intellectual defiance that remains a cornerstone of Irish national character.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #76 |
| Babies named Samuel in 2025 | 78 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 5,815 |
| Peak year | 2009 (238 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #33 |
| Years in records | 1964–2025 (62 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 9 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 Ireland?
Samuel ranked #76 in Ireland in 2025 — given to 78 babies that year.
When was Samuel most popular?
Samuel peaked in 2009 with 238 babies registered that year in Ireland.
Is Samuel a boy or girl name?
Samuel is predominantly a boys' name in Ireland — over 90% of Samuels in registered births are male.
How long has Samuel been recorded in Ireland?
Samuel appears in birth records in Ireland across 62 years — from 1964 through 2025.