Girl · 8th of 35,406
Samantha
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
592,059
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1990
Peak Popularity Year
25,926
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Samantha stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Samantha is a name with Hebrew and Aramaic roots, deriving from 'Samuel' and meaning 'listener' or 'heard by God.' It evolved through variations like 'Samanta' before becoming popular in its current form. The name reflects traits of warmth and approachability, with no significant biblical relevance. It gained prominence in the 1960s, influenced by popular culture, and remains a favored name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/səˈmænθə/
Origin
Hebrew/Aramaic
Etymology
The name Samantha is thought to have originated from the Hebrew name 'Samuel,' meaning 'heard by God.' It gained popularity in the 18th century and may also be linked to the Aramaic word 'saman,' meaning 'listener.'
Meaning
listener, told by God
Language Evolution
Samuel, Samanta, Samantha
Historical Usage
Samantha gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s, largely due to its use in popular culture, particularly through the character Samantha Stephens in the television show 'Bewitched.'
Variants & Derivatives
Sam, Sami, Sammy, Samanta
Modern Popularity & Image
Samantha is widely viewed as a modern and friendly name, often associated with warmth and approachability. It remains a popular choice for girls in many English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Samantha Fox - British singer and media personality, Samantha Barks - British actress and singer, Samantha Power - American diplomat and author
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 25,926 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3270th of 10718 | 157 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1683rd of 16616 | 721 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4627th of 24088 | 291 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13641st of 23106 | 36 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1599th of 9107 | 447 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1882nd of 9204 | 348 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1228th of 12526 | 1,346 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 124th of 19264 | 44,142 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11th of 27321 | 280,826 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8th of 35406 | 216,462 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 58th of 30306 | 46,923 |