The name Samantha is of Greek origin and its meaning is "listener." It is derived from the Greek word "samna," which means "heard" or "one who listens." The name Samantha gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the latter part of the twentieth century, particularly in North America.
The earliest known use of the name Samantha was in the 18th century when it appeared in a novel by Henry Fielding called "Tom Jones." However, it was not widely used as a given name until the mid-20th century. The name Samantha became particularly popular following the release of the film "Charlotte's Web" in 1973, in which the main character is named Wilbur and his friend is a pig named Samuel, who is often referred to as Sam.
The name Samantha has also been used in various forms of media throughout history. For example, Samantha Stephens was the main character in the popular television sitcom "Bewitched," which aired from 1964 to 1972. Additionally, the name Samantha was used as the title of a song by American singer Carpenters, released in 1971.
In terms of its popularity, the name Samantha reached its peak in the United States during the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was the most popular girl's name in the U.S. for three consecutive years (1991-1993). Today, Samantha remains a popular choice among parents looking for a name for their daughter.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births for the name Samantha in the United States from 1992 to 1998. Here's a breakdown:
* In 1992, there were 5 babies named Samantha.
* The following year, in 1994, there was an increase with 6 newborns sharing this name.
* The numbers then stabilized at 5 births each for the years 1996 and 1998.
In total, over these six years, there were 21 babies named Samantha born in the United States. This data illustrates a slight fluctuation in popularity during this period.