Samantha
Samantha is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Told by God, listener, or flower.
Origin and history
Samantha is a feminine given name that gained widespread popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. It is traditionally believed to be an 18th-century American creation combining the Hebrew name Samuel with the feminine suffix '-antha'. With nearly 600,000 U.S. births registered since 1880, it remains a classic, widely recognized modern choice.
Popularity in the United States
592,847 babies in the United States have been named Samantha since 1880. It ranks #47 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #112.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.6 %)
- TX (8 %)
- NY (7.9 %)
- FL (5 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 159 |
| 1890-1900 | 174 |
| 1900-1910 | 135 |
| 1910-1920 | 181 |
| 1920-1930 | 186 |
| 1930-1940 | 175 |
| 1940-1950 | 292 |
| 1950-1960 | 486 |
| 1960-1970 | 11,027 |
| 1970-1980 | 28,906 |
| 1980-1990 | 121,124 |
| 1990-2000 | 224,023 |
| 2000-2010 | 134,313 |
| 2010-2019 | 56,929 |
| 2020-2029 | 14,737 |
Famous people named Samantha
- Samantha Power: Diplomat, Author
- Samantha Bee: Comedian, Television Host
- Samantha Fox: Singer, Model
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy, Sami
Fun facts
- The name saw significant surges in U.S. popularity due to the lead character in the 1960s TV sitcom 'Bewitched'.
- It likely originated in the Southern United States in the late 18th century as a feminine blend of Samuel and the Greek word 'anthos' meaning flower.