Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sampson
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “variant of Samson; sun”
- Meaning
- variant of Samson; sun
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SAM-sun
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,435
- US babies 2025
- 34
- Best rank
- #415 (1898)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Sampson
Sampson is an English and Hebrew name that means “variant of Samson; sun”.
Sampson is a variant of Samson, from Hebrew Shimshon, usually linked to shemesh, sun. In the Book of Judges, Samson is a hero of great strength whose power comes from his uncut hair; he is betrayed by Delilah and dies bringing down the temple of the Philistines. The Sampson spelling, with a p, is common as an English surname, and Saint Samson of Dol was a sixth-century Welsh bishop in Brittany. It is said SAM-sun. Sam is the everyday nickname.
Popularity over time
Sampson 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 28 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #415 in 1898, and the most babies received it in 2017, when 61 were named Sampson. In 2025, 34 babies were named Sampson, and it ranked #3,435 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,086 in 1920, #1,426 in 1950, #1,847 in 1980, #2,614 in 2000, #3,514 in 2010, and #3,435 in 2025. Of the 3,901 US boys named Sampson since records began, 11% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 365 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Yasser, Abimael, Abbott, Oshea, and Dietrich.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Sampson is usually pronounced SAM-sun, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Sampson
A few middle names that flow with Sampson: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sampson
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Lists that include Sampson
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sampson mean?
Sampson is an English and Hebrew name that means “variant of Samson; sun”.
What is the origin of the name Sampson?
Sampson has English and Hebrew roots. Sampson is a variant of Samson, from Hebrew Shimshon, usually linked to shemesh, sun.
Is Sampson a popular name?
Not especially. Sampson ranked #3,435 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sampson a boy or girl name?
Sampson is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Sampson?
Sampson is usually pronounced SAM-sun. 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