Sam
English · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Sam
Sam is a diminutive of Samuel, derived from the Hebrew name Sh'muel (שְׁמוּאֵל), meaning "God has heard" or "God's name." The name combines the Hebrew elements *shem* (name) and *el* (God).
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Etymology
Sam is a diminutive of Samuel, derived from the Hebrew name Sh'muel (שְׁמוּאֵל), meaning "God has heard" or "God's name." The name combines the Hebrew elements *shem* (name) and *el* (God).
The name is used across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, with historical prominence including the biblical prophet Samuel and widespread adoption in English-speaking cultures from medieval times onward.
Sam currently ranks #647 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1918.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English, Persian, Persian Mythology names that sit beautifully beside SamSimilar names you might like
Names starting with SMore names starting with S
- Sacha
- Sadie
- Saga
- Sachin
- Said
- Sagar
- Safa
- Sabrina
- Saara
- Sahil
- Sabine
- Sabina
- Safira
- Safiya
- Sage
- Saana
- Sai
- Saddam
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