Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:20)
The name means “heard of God,” and like other personal names in the Bible, it was full of significance. “Samuel” was a memorial of her request to the Lord, a reminder of her pledge, and a recognition of God’s approval. Time was to demonstrate the truth of all this. From his earliest childhood Samuel recognized that he was the servant of the Lord.