The name Samantha is of Greek origin and means "listener" or "one who listens well". It is derived from the Greek word "samikos", which means "of the house".
The name Samantha has a rich history, with roots dating back to ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, it was said that the gods would often send messages through dreams to those who were wise and virtuous enough to listen carefully. These individuals were known as "samanthai", or "listeners". Over time, the name Samantha became associated with these mythical figures and eventually evolved into a given name.
The name Samantha gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, thanks in part to its use in popular culture. In the 1963 film "The Nutty Professor", one of the main characters was named Samantha, which helped to bring the name into vogue. Since then, Samantha has become a widely recognized and beloved name.
Today, Samantha is a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their daughters. Its meaning, "listener" or "one who listens well", makes it an ideal choice for those who wish to encourage their children to be attentive and receptive to the world around them. Whether inspired by Greek mythology or simply drawn to its musical sound, parents who choose the name Samantha are selecting a name with deep roots in history and culture.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Samantha in the United States from 1965 to 2009. Over this period, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name, reaching its peak in 1987 with 34 births.
From 1965 to 1979, the number of Samantha births ranged between 5 and 12 per year, with some fluctuations but generally an upward trend. However, there was a notable spike in popularity from 1983 onwards, starting with 20 births that year and peaking at 34 births in both 1987 and 1990.
After the peak years, the popularity of the name Samantha began to decline gradually. Between 1991 and 2005, there were between 5 and 29 Samantha births per year, with fluctuations but no clear upward trend. In recent years, from 2006 onwards, the number of Samantha births has remained relatively stable at around 7 births per year.
In total, over the period from 1965 to 2009, there were 601 babies named Samantha born in the United States. This data shows how trends in naming conventions can change significantly over time, with the name Samantha becoming much more popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s before gradually declining again.