Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sammy
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “pet form of Samuel; God has heard”
- Meaning
- pet form of Samuel; God has heard
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SA-mee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,864
- US babies 2025
- 85
- Best rank
- #170 (1946)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Sammy
Sammy is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Samuel; God has heard”.
Sammy is an affectionate pet form of Samuel, from the Hebrew Shemuel, often explained as God has heard. In the Bible, Samuel is the prophet who anoints Saul and David as kings of Israel. Sammy has been used for generations as a nickname and occasionally as a full name, carrying a playful, friendly energy. The entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. gave it wide recognition in the twentieth century. Many parents choose Samuel formally and use Sammy at home. It also works as a nickname for Samantha, Samson or Salvatore.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sammie, Sami.
Popularity over time
Sammy first appears in US Social Security records in 1896. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 100 different years, starting in 1904. Its best national rank was #170 in 1946, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 1,210 were named Sammy. In 2025, 85 babies were named Sammy, and it ranked #1,864 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #589 in 1920, #214 in 1950, #452 in 1980, #763 in 2000, #1,178 in 2010, and #1,864 in 2025. Of the 43,382 US boys named Sammy since records began, 22% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 8,105 babies. Since 2010, 1,948 more have been named Sammy.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marshall, Benny, Freddie, Denny, and Freddy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sammy ranked highest in Missouri, Tennessee, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | #856 | 6 |
| Tennessee | #1160 | 5 |
| New York | #1722 | 6 |
| California | #1803 | 9 |
| Florida | #2047 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 88% of US babies named Sammy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Sammy is usually pronounced SA-mee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-my”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sammie and Sami.
Middle names for Sammy
A few middle names that flow with Sammy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sammy
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Lists that include Sammy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sammy mean?
Sammy is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Samuel; God has heard”.
What is the origin of the name Sammy?
Sammy has English and Hebrew roots. Sammy is an affectionate pet form of Samuel, from the Hebrew Shemuel, often explained as God has heard.
Is Sammy a popular name?
Not especially. Sammy ranked #1,864 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sammy a boy or girl name?
Sammy is mainly a boy's name. About 88% of US babies named Sammy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Sammy?
Sammy is usually pronounced SA-mee. 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