Samantha
Samantha first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1990, when 25,868 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,973.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Samantha popular?
Declining Samantha is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1990 peak.
| 2020s | 14,737 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 56,929 | |
| 2000s | 134,313 | |
| 1990s | 224,023 | |
| 1980s | 121,124 | |
| 1970s | 28,906 | |
| 1960s | 11,027 | |
| 1950s | 486 | |
| 1940s | 292 | |
| 1930s | 175 | |
| 1920s | 186 | |
| 1910s | 181 | |
| 1900s | 135 | |
| 1890s | 174 | |
| 1880s | 159 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Samantha mean?
Samantha is of uncertain origin, first recorded in the American South in the 18th century — possibly a feminine of Samuel with a decorative -antha ending. The film High Society and TV’s Bewitched made it a hit.
Nicknames for Samantha
- Sam
- Sammy
Variants & spellings
- Samatha
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Samantha a boy or a girl name?
Samantha is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Samantha a popular name right now?
Samantha is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1990 peak.
How popular is the name Samantha?
In 2025, Samantha ranked #151 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Samantha most popular?
Samantha was most popular in 1990, when about 25,868 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Samantha?
Common nicknames for Samantha include Sam, Sammy.