Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Samantha
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), Hebrew· “uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- suh-MAN-thuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #151
- US babies 2025
- 1,973
- Best rank
- #3 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Samantha
Samantha is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hebrew roots.
Samantha first appears in the American South in the eighteenth century, and its origin is uncertain. It may have been created as a feminine form of Samuel, with an ending borrowed from names like Amaranth, perhaps influenced by the Greek anthos, "flower". The name remained fairly uncommon until the television series Bewitched, whose witch heroine Samantha was a household favorite from the mid-sixties, gave it a lasting boost. It went on to become a favorite of the late twentieth century. Samantha sounds warm and lively, and Sam and Sammie are easy nicknames.
Popularity over time
Samantha 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 87 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 1998, and the most babies received it in 1990, when 25,868 were named Samantha. In 2025, 1,973 babies were named Samantha, and it ranked #151 nationally. That is 63% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,661 in 1920, #1,596 in 1950, #58 in 1980, #7 in 2000, #15 in 2010, and #151 in 2025. Of the 592,847 US girls named Samantha since records began, 38% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 134,313 babies. Since 2010, 71,666 more have been named Samantha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Stephanie, Lauren, Elizabeth, Megan, and Kayla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Samantha ranked highest in Maryland, California, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #78 | 51 |
| California | #81 | 348 |
| New Jersey | #95 | 74 |
| Florida | #98 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | #114 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Samantha is usually pronounced suh-MAN-thuh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with S and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Samantha
A few middle names that flow with Samantha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Samantha
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Lists that include Samantha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samantha mean?
Samantha is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Samantha?
Samantha has modern American and Hebrew roots. Samantha first appears in the American South in the eighteenth century, and its origin is uncertain.
Is Samantha a popular name?
Yes. Samantha ranked #151 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Samantha a boy or girl name?
Samantha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Samantha?
Samantha is usually pronounced suh-MAN-thuh. 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