The story behind Samantha
It was recorded in the 17th century in England. Most probably a feminine form of Samuel, possibly influenced by Anthea. Other suggestions include Aramaic ܫܡܥܢܬܐ (šemʿanta, “listener”, noun), from ܫܡܥ. In India, Samantha can be interpreted as a variant spelling of Samanta, from Sanskrit समन्त (samanta, “universal, adjacent”).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English, of uncertain origin.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /səˈmænθə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- æ-raising: [səˈmɛənθə]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /saˈmanta/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [sɐˈman̪.t̪ɐ]
Popularity
Samantha ranked #151 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Samantha
Sabrina
Popularity likely inspired from Arabic صَابْرِينَا (ṣābrīnā) based on Arabic root ص ب ر (ṣ b r), folk etymologized form of earlier سَابْرِينَا (sābrīnā) (now mostly limited to…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Samanta
a female given name from English, equivalent to English Samantha
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Selena
Either a variant of Selina, from Latin Caelīna (“heavenly”, from caelum (“sky, heaven”)), or from Selene, the Ancient Greek goddess of the moon. From Ancient Greek Σελήνη…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Serena
From the name of an early Christian saint, Latin serena (“serene”). Borrowed from English Serena.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Sharona
From Hebrew שָׁרוֹנָה.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Simona
Latinized from French Simone, or borrowed from Italian Simona.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Samantha
Barak
From Hebrew בָּרָק (“lightning”). From Arabic بَارَك (bārak, “he who is blessed”). Cognate with the biblical name Baruch of Hebrew origin. The usage of the root ب ر ك (b r k)…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends K
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Baruch
Borrowed from Hebrew בָּרוּךְ (Barukh, “blessed”). Cognate with Arabic بَارَك (bārak, “Barak”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Baruque
a male given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Baruch
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Samantha
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length