Lemuel Boy
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 7 | |
TX | 7 | |
NY | 6 | |
FL | 5 | |
MD | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 59 |
1881 | 58 |
1882 | 43 |
1883 | 41 |
1884 | 31 |
1885 | 31 |
1886 | 37 |
1887 | 39 |
1888 | 32 |
1889 | 29 |
1890 | 28 |
1891 | 32 |
1892 | 33 |
1893 | 19 |
1894 | 28 |
1895 | 23 |
1896 | 20 |
1897 | 30 |
1898 | 22 |
1899 | 20 |
1900 | 37 |
1901 | 20 |
1902 | 21 |
1903 | 24 |
1904 | 16 |
1905 | 24 |
1906 | 36 |
1907 | 30 |
1908 | 20 |
1909 | 27 |
1910 | 29 |
1911 | 32 |
1912 | 61 |
1913 | 57 |
1914 | 90 |
1915 | 95 |
1916 | 135 |
1917 | 115 |
1918 | 122 |
1919 | 137 |
1920 | 146 |
1921 | 147 |
1922 | 142 |
1923 | 111 |
1924 | 128 |
1925 | 118 |
1926 | 122 |
1927 | 102 |
1928 | 116 |
1929 | 110 |
1930 | 102 |
1931 | 90 |
1932 | 90 |
1933 | 83 |
1934 | 88 |
1935 | 85 |
1936 | 85 |
1937 | 90 |
1938 | 103 |
1939 | 79 |
1940 | 74 |
1941 | 78 |
1942 | 86 |
1943 | 95 |
1944 | 100 |
1945 | 73 |
1946 | 85 |
1947 | 86 |
1948 | 91 |
1949 | 97 |
1950 | 86 |
1951 | 114 |
1952 | 105 |
1953 | 109 |
1954 | 105 |
1955 | 96 |
1956 | 101 |
1957 | 106 |
1958 | 77 |
1959 | 102 |
1960 | 94 |
1961 | 95 |
1962 | 95 |
1963 | 102 |
1964 | 92 |
1965 | 86 |
1966 | 84 |
1967 | 84 |
1968 | 76 |
1969 | 73 |
1970 | 72 |
1971 | 65 |
1972 | 72 |
1973 | 60 |
1974 | 67 |
1975 | 71 |
1976 | 72 |
1977 | 73 |
1978 | 45 |
1979 | 73 |
1980 | 70 |
1981 | 63 |
1982 | 77 |
1983 | 54 |
1984 | 45 |
1985 | 62 |
1986 | 56 |
1987 | 44 |
1988 | 48 |
1989 | 52 |
1990 | 55 |
1991 | 63 |
1992 | 52 |
1993 | 46 |
1994 | 59 |
1995 | 46 |
1996 | 51 |
1997 | 50 |
1998 | 49 |
1999 | 62 |
2000 | 50 |
2001 | 47 |
2002 | 43 |
2003 | 66 |
2004 | 38 |
2005 | 43 |
2006 | 63 |
2007 | 38 |
2008 | 57 |
2009 | 34 |
2010 | 52 |
2011 | 51 |
2012 | 52 |
2013 | 64 |
2014 | 70 |
2015 | 72 |
2016 | 48 |
2017 | 71 |
2018 | 82 |
2019 | 72 |
2020 | 65 |
2021 | 62 |
2022 | 73 |
2023 | 67 |
2024 | 69 |