Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sam
BoyHebrew, English· “God has heard; short for Samuel”
- Meaning
- God has heard; short for Samuel
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- SAM
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #647
- US babies 2025
- 428
- Best rank
- #30 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Sam
Sam is a Hebrew and English name that means “God has heard; short for Samuel”.
Sam is a short form of Samuel, a Hebrew name usually explained as God has heard or name of God. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel in the Books of Samuel. Sam also serves as a nickname for Samantha, Samson and other names, so it works for any gender. As a given name on its own, it feels friendly, grounded and unpretentious. Well-known bearers include the Founding Father Samuel Adams and many actors. Sam pairs easily with longer middle names for balance.
Popularity over time
Sam has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #30 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 2,506 were named Sam. In 2025, 428 babies were named Sam, and it ranked #647 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #84 in 1920, #207 in 1950, #429 in 1980, #460 in 2000, #472 in 2010, and #647 in 2025. Of the 127,234 US boys named Sam since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 18,544 babies. Since 2010, 7,522 more have been named Sam.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Wilbur, Lester, Morris, Woodrow, and Irving.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sam ranked highest in Montana, Utah, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #223 | 6 |
| Utah | #348 | 14 |
| New York | #374 | 48 |
| Massachusetts | #434 | 12 |
| Oregon | #434 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Sam over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Sam is usually pronounced SAM, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with S and ends in “-am”.
Middle names for Sam
A few middle names that flow with Sam: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sam
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Lists that include Sam
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sam mean?
Sam is a Hebrew and English name that means “God has heard; short for Samuel”.
What is the origin of the name Sam?
Sam has Hebrew and English roots. Sam is a short form of Samuel, a Hebrew name usually explained as God has heard or name of God.
Is Sam a popular name?
Yes. Sam ranked #647 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Sam a boy or girl name?
Sam is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Sam over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Sam?
Sam is usually pronounced SAM. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings