All about the name

Lemuel

Male

« Lemuel is a rare Hebrew name meaning "devoted to God" or "for God he has spoken," first appearing in the Bible as the father of King Jehoshaphat. Despite its biblical roots, Lemuel remains uncommon today, possibly due to its unconventional spelling and pronunciation. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Lemuel is a unique and intriguing name with an interesting history and origin. It is derived from the Hebrew language, where it translates to "for God he has spoken" or "devoted to God." In the Old Testament of the Bible, Lemuel is mentioned as the father of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. The name Lemuel gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 16th century, likely due to its biblical origins. It was used by several notable figures throughout history, including Lemuel Gulliver, the protagonist of Jonathan Swift's satirical novel "Gulliver's Travels," and Lemuel Haynes, an American minister and veteran of the American Revolutionary War who is believed to have been one of the first African-American graduates from a college in the United States. Despite its biblical origins, Lemuel has not been particularly popular as a given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it has never ranked among the top 1000 names for boys since records began in the late 19th century. However, this may be due in part to its unique sound and unconventional spelling, which can make it feel unfamiliar or difficult to pronounce for some people. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in unique and uncommon names, which may lead to an increase in the popularity of Lemuel in the future. Overall, Lemuel is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin that is worth considering for parents looking for something distinctive and memorable for their child.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Lemuel since 1880

Total births
9,820
Total since 1880
Peak year
1921
147 births
in 2023
66
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+29%
vs previous 5 years