Declining since 2005.
Popularity of Samarra since 1976
Babies named Samarra per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 30 |
| 2000s | 242 |
| 2010s | 109 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Samarra is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1976, a period when invented and place-inspired names were gaining popularity. It saw its peak usage in 2004, with approximately one in every set of births that year being a Samarra, though precise figures are unavailable. Since 2005, its trajectory has been falling, reflecting a move away from the stylistic trend that birthed it. The name has not reached the top 1000 and shows no signs of revival. Its appeal likely lies in its soft sound and resemblance to names like Samara and Samantha, offering a distinctive yet familiar choice.
Samarra first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1976, with usage rising through the 1990s and peaking in 2004. It may be a respelling or variant of Samara, a place name (the city of Samarra in Iraq) or a borrowing from botanical Samara (a winged seed). Its exact derivation is unclear, and it is best understood as a modern coinage influenced by similar-sounding names like Samantha and Samara.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sam, Sammy
Variants: Samara
Sibling names for Samarra
Names that share Samarra's style, for a brother or sister.
