Rising since 1986, #320 for girls today.
Popularity of Samara since 1949
Babies named Samara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 180 |
| 1970s | 898 |
| 1980s | 1,082 |
| 1990s | 1,772 |
| 2000s | 5,967 |
| 2010s | 6,853 |
| 2020s | 5,939 |
Meaning & origin
Samara is a name with multiple possible origins but no single clear derivation. It may be linked to the Hebrew verb shamar ('to guard') or the Arabic samar ('evening conversation'), and it has also been used as a place name and as a modern variant of Tamara. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1949, but it remained very rare until the 1980s. Since 1986, its usage has been rising steadily, and it reached its peak rank of 320 in 2025, when about 1 in 1,679 baby girls received the name. Its highest popularity by state relative to other names is in New Mexico, Nevada, and Maryland. Samara's modern sound and multicultural resonance make it a distinctive choice that fits well with contemporary naming trends.
Samara has multiple plausible origins, but none is definitive. It may derive from the Hebrew name Shamar, meaning 'to guard' or 'to protect', or from the Arabic word samar, meaning 'evening conversation' or 'night talk'. In modern English usage, it also appears as a place name (Samara, Russia) and as a variant of Tamara. The name gained popularity in the United States in the late 20th century, rising steadily since the 1980s.
Where Samara is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Samara” around the world
Where Samara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
New Zealand
12
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sami, Sammi, Mara, Sam
Sibling names for Samara
Names that share Samara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Lila, Naomi, Sasha, Zara, Aseel, Shamya, Adeena, Jamyiah, Janayah, Samayah, Tatiyanna, Yahira, Zamaya, Amaryah, Dahiana, Danajah, Dayanira, Jamyia, Janayla, Jonasia, Makayah, Osmara, Samani, Satara, Simaya, Zanaria, Ziomara, Kamariya, Sakara, Amariona, Amariyana, Daijanae, Jamora, Janayia, Johany, Kadeisha, Keimora, Mareta, Melaysia, Somara, Tationna, Yameli
Brothers: Elijah, Ezra, Miles, Oscar, Silas, Jakari, Jamarion, Zion, Azazel, Jamauri, Jomari, Santiel, Adonys, Avontae, Ezequias, Isiaih, Izaiha, Jatavion, Saivon, Davarion, Damarea, Jamarien, Samarion, Yosiel, Zamauri
Names like Samara
Names whose popularity has moved with Samara's over the last 50 years.
