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Lemuel Boy

Popularity: #855 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationLEM-yoo-el / /ˈlɛm.juː.əl/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: 'God is my people'; English: 'devoted to God'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lemuel has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the elements "le" meaning "to" or "belonging to" and "melek" meaning "king." This etymology suggests a literal translation of "belonging to God" or "devoted to God," reflecting a significant spiritual connotation. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Proverbs, where Lemuel is described as a king and the author of a series of wise sayings, often interpreted as a representation of wisdom and moral instruction. This biblical association facilitated the name's transmission into other languages and cultures.

Lemuel's journey into English can be traced through the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, where the name was rendered as "Lemuel." This form was later adopted into Latin texts, including the Vulgate, which further solidified its presence in Christian tradition. The name was introduced into English during the Middle Ages, particularly through the influence of the Bible and its translations, such as the King James Version published in 1611, which popularized many biblical names.

Culturally, Lemuel has been associated with wisdom and leadership, reflecting the characteristics attributed to the biblical figure. The name has resonated in various literary and religious contexts, symbolizing a connection to divine guidance and moral integrity. In some traditions, diminutive forms such as Lem or Lemu have emerged, though these variations are less commonly noted in historical texts. Overall, Lemuel's enduring significance lies in its biblical roots and the values it embodies, making it a name of historical and cultural importance.

Trend Summary

Lemuel has seen a modest level of popularity in the United States, with occasional spikes in usage.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Lem
  • Lemmy

International Variants

  • Lemuel (English)

Famous people named Lemuel

Lemuel Gulliver is a fictional character best known as the protagonist of Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels.

Fictional characters named Lemuel

Lemuel Gulliver is a fictional character from the novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. He is a ship's surgeon who embarks on fantastical voyages to strange lands, encountering various peculiar societies and cultures.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lemuel was first seen in the United States in 1880. Lemuel has ranked as high as #738 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Lemuel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lemuel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 7
23%
TX 7
23%
NY 6
20%
FL 5
17%
MD 5
17%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188059
188158
188243
188341
188431
188531
188637
188739
188832
188929
189028
189132
189233
189319
189428
189523
189620
189730
189822
189920
190037
190120
190221
190324
190416
190524
190636
190730
190820
190927
191029
191132
191261
191357
191490
191595
1916135
1917115
1918122
1919137
1920146
1921147
1922142
1923111
1924128
1925118
1926122
1927102
1928116
1929110
1930102
193190
193290
193383
193488
193585
193685
193790
1938103
193979
194074
194178
194286
194395
1944100
194573
194685
194786
194891
194997
195086
1951114
1952105
1953109
1954105
195596
1956101
1957106
195877
1959102
196094
196195
196295
1963102
196492
196586
196684
196784
196876
196973
197072
197165
197272
197360
197467
197571
197672
197773
197845
197973
198070
198163
198277
198354
198445
198562
198656
198744
198848
198952
199055
199163
199252
199346
199459
199546
199651
199750
199849
199962
200050
200147
200243
200366
200438
200543
200663
200738
200857
200934
201052
201151
201252
201364
201470
201572
201648
201771
201882
201972
202065
202162
202273
202367
202469