Samson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Samson has Hebrew origins, derived from the word for 'sun'. It has evolved through various languages, maintaining its association with strength and bravery. It has significant biblical relevance, linked to the strongman in the Book of Judges. Today, Samson is viewed as a symbol of resilience and has remained popular, with variants like Sam and Sammy in use.
The name Samson is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Samson has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Samson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1847th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1933rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1658th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1221st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 971st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 924th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 590th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Samson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Samson"
Pronunciation
/ˈsæm.sən/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Samson is derived from the Hebrew word 'שֶׁמֶשׁ' (shemesh), meaning 'sun' or 'sun child'. It is often associated with strength and bravery due to the biblical figure Samson, known for his superhuman strength.
Meaning
Sun, sun child
Language Evolution
Hebrew: שמשון (Shimshon), Greek: Σαμψών (Sampson), Latin: Sampson, Old French: Sampson, Middle English: Sampson
Biblical Background
Samson is a significant figure in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where he is known for his immense strength and his battles against the Philistines.
Historical Usage
The name Samson gained popularity in the Christian tradition due to its biblical roots, particularly in the Middle Ages, and has remained in use into modern times.
Variants & Derivatives
Sam, Sampson, Sammy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Samson is often perceived as a symbol of strength and resilience, frequently referenced in literature and popular culture.
Famous People
Samson Raphael Hirsch, a prominent rabbi and theologian, Samson O'Sullivan, a notable Irish athlete
Explore More Samson Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Samson"
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 of "Samson"
"Samson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1847th of 7545 | 284 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1933rd of 6773 | 263 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1658th of 7552 | 423 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1221st of 10718 | 744 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 971st of 16616 | 1,695 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 924th of 24088 | 3,110 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 590th of 23106 | 5,691 |
Regional Popularity of "Samson" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
100.00% 1519th/1519 |
100.00% 982nd/982 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
100.00% 1227th/1227 |
100.00% 1949th/1949 |
100.00% 1067th/1067 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
100.00% 1208th/1208 |
- |
100.00% 1134th/1134 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 1448th/1448 |
100.00% 1398th/1398 |
100.00% 1683rd/1683 |
100.00% 940th/940 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 1394th/1394 |
100.00% 958th/958 |
100.00% 1344th/1344 |
100.00% 747th/747 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 978th/978 |
100.00% 896th/896 |
100.00% 1255th/1255 |
100.00% 781st/781 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 570th/570 |
100.00% 657th/657 |
100.00% 597th/597 |
100.00% 532nd/532 |
Regional Popularity of "Samson" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Samson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Samson" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.