About the name Samantha
The origin of Samantha is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Aramaic roots, with the meaning “Listener”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Samantha we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a classic feel. In 2025, Samantha ranked #151 for girls in the US, with 1,973 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1990. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Samantha were girls.
- US rank 2025
- #151
- In 2015
- #40
- Babies in 2025
- 1,973
Popularity of Samantha, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Samantha
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Samantha on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Samantha. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Samantha
- Sam
- Sammy
Names similar to Samantha
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.