Samantha is a name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word "sophrosyne," which means prudence or wisdom. The name was popularized by Samuel Richardson's novel "Pamela," published in 1740, where the heroine Samantha displays great wisdom and virtue throughout the story.
The name Samantha gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly after the release of the musical film "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in 1967. The main character in the film is named Samantha, played by Julie Andrews, which further popularized the name among parents-to-be.
Throughout history, many notable individuals have borne the name Samantha. Some examples include Samantha Power, an American diplomat and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Samantha Fox, a British singer and model. These individuals have contributed to the name's enduring popularity and recognition.
The statistics regarding the name Samantha show a relatively stable number of newborns with this name in the United States during the period from 1988 to 1990, with a slight decline in popularity in 1993. Over these five years, there were a total of 26 babies named Samantha born in the United States.