Samantha: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Samantha mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Listens well
Aramaic: Flower
Greek: Blossom

Gender: Female

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Samantha is pronounced suh-man-thuh

The name Samantha is believed to have originated as a blend of the names Samuel and Anthea, as the feminine version of Samuel with the suffix derived from the Greek anthos. In Hebrew, it carries the meaning "listens well," while in Aramaic and Greek, it translates to "flower" and "blossom," respectively. This harmonious fusion of meanings and origins has contributed to its lasting popularity.

Girl name variations

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Sally Struthers

Samantha in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Samantha Jones from Sex and the City - A confident public relations executive known for her outspoken personality and adventurous love life.
Samantha Stevens from Bewitched - A witch who tries to live a normal life as a suburban housewife while keeping her magical powers a secret.
Samantha Micelli from Who's the Boss? - The witty and charming daughter of Tony Micelli, balancing life’s challenges as a teenager.
Samantha Carter from Stargate SG-1 - A brilliant astrophysicist and Air Force officer who plays a key role in exploring the galaxy and defending Earth.
Samantha Baker from Sixteen Candles - A sweet and relatable teenage girl navigating her way through the ups and downs of high school and family life.

Popularity of the Name Samantha

According to Social Security Administration data, Samantha has maintained a strong presence in the list of popular names. As of 2023, it ranked within the top 500 names in the U.S., highlighting its enduring appeal. Historically, Samantha gained significant popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, partly due to the television series Bewitched, which featured a lead character named Samantha Stephens. The name continued to rise in prominence through the 1980s and 1990s.

Notable individuals with the name include actress Samantha Morton, known for her roles in Minority Report and In America, and Samantha Bee, a well-known comedian and host of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Fictional characters named Samantha appear in various media, such as Samantha Jones from Sex and the City and Samantha Baker from the classic film Sixteen Candles. Various authors, comedians and actresses have the name Samantha, including: Samantha Irby, Samantha Bee, Samantha Buck, Samantha Mathis, and Samantha Kerr.