I've heard that סמאל (Samael, a "bad" angel) is related to the word שמאל (left). Is there any basis for this, and are there any other explanations for his name?
The Hebrew Wikipedia claims that it is connected to "סומא" (blindness) and "אל" (God; the suffix on many angel names), but it doesn't bring a source (it says "[דרוש מקור]").
The Hebrew Wikitionary mentions another possibility (in addition to "סומא"), that it comes from "סם" (potion, poison), but says that neither has any proofs.
This question is looking for academic answers, based on reliable sources. However, more midrashic answers such as acronyms are also acceptable.