Samuel in Chinese
Samuel in Chinese is 塞缪尔 (Sài Miù Ěr).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God has heard
Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "God has heard". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s.
3 ways to write Samuel
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
塞缪尔
Sài Miù Ěr
The standard transliteration of Samuel: 塞 (sài, "fortress (phonetic 'se/sai')"), 缪 (miù, "phonetic 'mu'"), 尔 (ěr, "you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 塞 sài + 缪 miù + 尔 ěr. The tone contour is 4-4-3 (falling, falling, dipping).
Character breakdown
32 strokes total (simplified)- 塞
sài
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
fortress (phonetic 'se/sai')
- 缪
miù
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'mu'
- 尔
ěr
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
承佑
Chéng Yòu
Inspired by "God has heard": 承 (chéng, "to inherit, carry on") + 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
承 (to inherit, carry on) answers the "God" in Samuel's meaning, and 佑 (blessing, protection) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 承
chéng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to inherit, carry on
- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
赛祺
Sài Qí
赛 (sài, "to compete; surpass") + 祺 (qí, "auspicious, lucky"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
赛 (sài) sounds close to the opening "sa" of Samuel (compare 塞 sài) but means "to compete; surpass"; 祺 adds "auspicious, lucky".
Character breakdown
26 strokes total (simplified)- 赛
sài
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
to compete; surpass
- 祺
qí
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Samuel
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Samuel ranked 19 among names recorded for boys, with 50,328 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 749,990 boys named Samuel since 1880, with the high point in 2001 (14,790 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #45 to #21 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2001
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 749,990
More About Samuel in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Samuel offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Samuel, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Kevin in Chinese, Zachary in Chinese, and Thomas in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Brian in Chinese, Eric in Chinese, and Nathan in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Samuel, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Samuel to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Samuel in Chinese?
塞缪尔 (Sài Miù Ěr), or 塞繆爾 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Samuel with real meaning?
Try 承佑 (Chéng Yòu): to inherit, carry on + blessing, protection, inspired by "God has heard". For something that still sounds like Samuel, 赛祺 (Sài Qí) is a middle ground.
Is Samuel written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 塞缪尔 becomes 塞繆爾; the changed characters are 缪→繆, 尔→爾. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.