Of Hebrew origin.
From the Hebrew name “Shemu’el”, meaning “name of God” or “told by God”.
In the “Book of Samuel” of the Old Testament, Samuel is the leader of ancient Israel and the last of the ruling judges.
He was the one who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel.
Samuel was used as a Christian name after the Protestant Reformation.
Alternative forms of the name are: Sam, Sammy, Sammie, Samuell.
Famous bearers are Samuel Adams, Samuel Clemens (pen name Mark Twain), Samuel Beckett, Samuel Morse, Samuel L. Jackson, Samuel C. C. Ting, Samuel Barnett.
A short biography of American actor Samuel L. Jackson: