Sam
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: God has heard, told by God
Origin: Hebrew (diminutive)
Popularity: Ranked #647 in 2025 with 428 babies born.
History: Sam surged in the 2010s-2020s as a standalone name. Sam Cooke sang 'A Change Is Gonna Come' — the anthem of the civil rights movement. Sam Kerr leads the Matildas. Uncle Sam IS America. The name is possibly the most American three letters in existence — patriotic, musical, and universal.
Famous people named Sam: Sam Smith (singer)
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Sam? About 1 in 7,364 babies born in 2025 were named Sam, or roughly 1.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Sam
What does the name Sam mean?
Sam means “God has heard, told by God” from Hebrew (diminutive) roots.
What is the origin of the name Sam?
Sam has Hebrew (diminutive) origin. The traditional meaning is “God has heard, told by God”.
How popular is Sam?
Sam ranked #647 in 2025 — given to 428 babies that year.
When was Sam most popular?
Sam peaked in 1918 with 2,505 babies registered that year.
Is Sam a boy or girl name?
Sam is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Sams in registered births are male.
Is the name Sam rising or falling in popularity?
Sam has risen 7827 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #8474 in 2020 to #647 in 2025.
How long has Sam been recorded?
Sam appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.