Where it comes from
shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל), 'God has heard' or 'name of God'
Also known as
Shmuel (the original Hebrew form), Samuele (Italian), Samuel (French/Spanish, same spelling)
Fun Fact
Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Hebrew Bible credited with anointing both Saul and David as the first kings of Israel, making him a pivotal transitional figure between Israel's tribal period and its monarchy.