Sam
Sam: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /หsรฆm/ ยท /หsรฆหm/
Meaning and origin of Sam
- A diminutive of the male given names Samuel and Samson.
- A diminutive of the female given name Samantha.
How popular is Sam?
Since 1880, 1,576 girls and 127,234 boys in the U.S. have been named Sam (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1170 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #30 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #647 for boys, with 452 babies given the name.
Names similar to Sam
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Sam
Names that peaked around the same time as Sam and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Sam FAQ
What does the name Sam mean?
A diminutive of the male given names Samuel and Samson. A diminutive of the female given name Samantha.
How popular is the name Sam?
Since 1880, 1,576 girls and 127,234 boys in the U.S. have been named Sam (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1170 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #30 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #647 for boys, with 452 babies given the name.
Is Sam a boy or girl name?
Sam is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,576 girls and 127,234 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880โ2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.