Holding steady, #647 for boys today.
Popularity of Sam since 1880
Babies named Sam per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sam's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,069 |
| 1890s | 4,941 |
| 1900s | 6,161 |
| 1910s | 18,544 |
| 1920s | 20,844 |
| 1930s | 13,350 |
| 1940s | 12,351 |
| 1950s | 10,052 |
| 1960s | 8,657 |
| 1970s | 4,516 |
| 1980s | 4,038 |
| 1990s | 5,437 |
| 2000s | 5,752 |
| 2010s | 5,034 |
| 2020s | 2,488 |
Meaning & origin
Sam is a short, friendly name that has held a steady place on U.S. baby name charts for over a century. First recorded in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1900, and in 2025 it ranked 647th, with about 1 in 3,991 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been remarkably stable, never seeing dramatic swings in usage. Sam has historically been most common in western states like Montana, Utah, and Nevada, suggesting a regional preference for straightforward, traditional names. As an abbreviation of Samuel, it carries biblical weight without formality, appealing to parents who want a name that is both classic and easygoing.
Sam is a classic short form of Samuel, from the Hebrew name Shemu'el, meaning 'God has heard.' It has been used as an independent given name since at least the 19th century in English-speaking countries, often evoking a friendly, down-to-earth image. While originally a nickname, Sam has long been established as a standalone name, appearing on U.S. birth records as early as 1880.
Where Sam is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sam” around the world
Where Sam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
195
babies in 2024
Ireland
#50
in 2025
New Zealand
17
babies in 2025
Quebec
64
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sammy
Sibling names for Sam
Names that share Sam's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Lucy, Molly, Hannah, Grace, Allie, Beth, Charley, Jill, Jo, Josie, Kate, Abbe, Abbi, Cami, Gabby, Hollie, Katy, Lanie, Lin, Liz, Maggie, Marcie, Meg, Mollie, Nan, Nelly, Vicky, Vina, Yetta, Anny, Becki, Cammie, Cherri, Dori, Kady, Katey, Lu, Madie, Mel, Mena, Mitzy, Sina, Teddi, Tiny, Tommi, Torie, Cadie, Char, Janney, Jaynie, Jocie, Lilybeth, Ma, Madi, Maggy, Mell, Pari, Peg, Seena, Blondie, Calie, Gabbie, Goldy, Hallee, Hanny, Katti, Libbi, Maral, Mehr, Pal, Tessy, Camy, Ammi, Betsi, Jem, Jull, Maty, Moni, Sabrie, Sady, Winna
Brothers: Ben, Jack, Max, Luke, Tom, Alec, Andy, Dan, Eddie, Jess, Ted, Tim, Tommy, Will, Abe, Al, Bud, Buddy, Cal, Edd, Fran, Garfield, Hal, Hardy, Ike, Jed, Judd, Ken, Lou, Mac, Nat, Nate, Ned, Nick, Phil, Robby, Sid, Tad, Toby, Buck, Castiel, Chip, Cris, Dann, Doc, Geo, Kam, Lev, Mick, San, Sim, Tadd, Vic, Willem, Ab, Berl, Dom, Harve, Mart, Mat, Moe, Parsa, Phill, Thom, Timm, Tin, Tobe, Wash, Wil, Beni, Benji, Benn, Bing, Gill, Min, Nik, Shep, Tyke, Cas, Add, Bartt, Bilbo, Borna, Cap, Chin, Ell, Jaan, Jas, Jes, Joa, Math, Ran, Solly, Sou, Tip
Names like Sam
Names whose popularity has moved with Sam's over the last 50 years.
