| Aaron | Samuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Exalted; of uncertain origin | God has heard |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AIR-un | SAM-yoo-el |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1989 (15,308) | 2001 (14,813) |
| In 2025 | 4,041 | 8,334 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Aaron | Samuel |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27,346 | 50,328 |
| 2010s | 70,488 | 108,128 |
| 2000s | 86,992 | 138,647 |
| 1990s | 128,377 | 125,597 |
| 1980s | 138,357 | 73,456 |
| 1970s | 101,487 | 48,099 |
| 1960s | 26,070 | 44,247 |
| 1950s | 11,141 | 53,767 |
| 1940s | 5,940 | 43,129 |
| 1930s | 4,727 | 32,135 |
| 1920s | 6,177 | 43,362 |
| 1910s | 4,570 | 34,166 |
| 1900s | 1,050 | 8,149 |
| 1890s | 830 | 7,857 |
| 1880s | 910 | 9,129 |
Aaron is a Hebrew name of debated meaning, often given as “exalted, high” or “mountain of strength.” In the Bible he is the elder brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel.
Samuel is a Hebrew name read as “God has heard” or “name of God.” The prophet Samuel anointed the first kings of Israel.
Samuel is more popular than Aaron today: about 8,334 US babies were given the name Samuel in 2025, compared with 4,041 named Aaron.
Aaron means Exalted; of uncertain origin (Hebrew origin), while Samuel means God has heard (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Aaron first appears in 1880 and Samuel in 1880, so Aaron has the longer recorded history.