Log in · Sign up

Samantha Girl

Popularity: #126 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationsah-MAN-thah / /səˈmæntə/

Hebrew; Aramaic; English

Meaning

Hebrew: 'told by God'; Aramaic: 'listener'; English: 'flower'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Samantha is believed to have originated in the early 18th century, possibly as a feminine form of the male name Samuel. The name Samuel itself has Hebrew roots, derived from the name Shemu'el, which means "God has heard." The transition from Samuel to Samantha likely involved the addition of the feminine suffix "-antha," which is thought to be influenced by the Greek word "anthos," meaning "flower." This etymological development reflects a blend of linguistic influences, moving from Hebrew to English through various cultural adaptations.

Samantha gained prominence in the English-speaking world during the 18th century, particularly in literature. One notable early reference is found in the 1760s in the works of the American writer and poet, John Adams, who used the name in his writings. The name's literary connections continued to grow, with its appearance in various novels and plays throughout the 19th century. Additionally, the name was popularized in the 20th century by the character Samantha Stephens in the television series "Bewitched," which aired from the 1960s to the 1970s, further embedding it in popular culture.

Culturally, Samantha has been associated with qualities such as grace and charm, often depicted in literature and media as a strong and independent character. The name's versatility has allowed it to resonate across different contexts, making it a favored choice for various fictional characters and real-life figures. Diminutive forms such as Sam or Sammie have also emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and endearing qualities. Overall, Samantha's etymological roots, historical milestones, and cultural significance contribute to its enduring presence in the English language.

Trend Summary

Samantha has consistently ranked among the top names for girls in the United States since the 1970s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Sam
  • Sami
  • Samantha

International Variants

  • Samantha (Spanish)
  • Samantha (Italian)
  • Samantha (Portuguese)

Famous people named Samantha

Samantha Barks is an actress and singer best known for Les Misérables, Once, and the West End production of Oliver!.

Samantha Fox is a singer and television personality best known for her hit singles 'Touch Me (I Want Your Body)', 'Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)', and her appearances on various TV shows.

Samantha Mumba is a singer, actress, and model best known for her debut album Gotta Tell You, the film The Time Machine, and her role in the TV series The Mummy.

Samantha Ponder is a sports commentator and television host best known for her work on ESPN's College GameDay and Sunday NFL Countdown.

Samantha Smith is an actress best known for her role in the soap opera General Hospital, and for her work in the film The Secret of My Success.

Fictional characters named Samantha

Samantha is a fictional character from the TV series Bewitched. She is a witch who marries a mortal man and tries to live a normal suburban life while dealing with her magical powers.

Samantha is a fictional character from the film and TV series Sex and the City. She is a confident and outspoken public relations executive known for her adventurous love life and strong personality.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Samantha was first seen in the United States in 1880. Samantha has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Samantha has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Samantha (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 402
19%
TX 290
13%
FL 184
9%
NY 108
5%
IL 78
4%
GA 68
3%
NC 65
3%
NJ 65
3%
AZ 64
3%
VA 61
3%
OH 57
3%
CO 54
3%
IN 53
2%
PA 44
2%
MA 44
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188021
188112
188215
188317
188416
188517
188613
188716
188818
188914
189015
189120
189220
189320
189416
189516
189618
189713
189821
189915
190027
190116
190215
19035
19048
190512
190613
190716
190813
190910
191010
191115
191220
191313
191420
191520
191620
191723
191817
191923
192026
192128
192228
192322
192415
192519
19269
192711
192814
192914
193014
193110
193216
193315
193415
193522
193620
193723
193817
193923
194019
194120
194224
194327
194424
194531
194633
194730
194840
194944
195035
195138
195238
195331
195430
195527
195629
195738
1958109
1959111
196081
196172
196274
196371
1964415
19651,961
19661,793
19671,805
19682,335
19692,422
19702,295
19712,209
19722,221
19732,119
19742,251
19752,834
19763,348
19773,286
19783,888
19794,462
19804,913
19815,517
19826,768
19837,704
19848,038
198510,658
198614,092
198717,944
198820,700
198924,792
199025,868
199125,648
199224,409
199323,668
199422,824
199521,645
199620,551
199720,170
199820,194
199919,043
200017,264
200115,867
200214,671
200313,869
200413,787
200513,642
200612,470
200711,883
200811,190
20099,667
20108,410
20117,398
20126,937
20136,516
20145,735
20155,347
20164,955
20174,332
20183,923
20193,369
20202,955
20212,599
20222,603
20232,368
20242,221