Holding steady.
Popularity of Samella since 1898
Babies named Samella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Samella's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 7 |
| 1910s | 99 |
| 1920s | 133 |
| 1930s | 94 |
| 1940s | 151 |
| 1950s | 127 |
| 1960s | 40 |
| 1970s | 34 |
| 1980s | 20 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Samella is a rare feminine variant of Samuel, first recorded in the United States in 1898. It reached its peak popularity in 1910, during a period when elaborate feminine forms of biblical names were in vogue. Despite its appeal as a distinctive alternative to more common names like Samantha or Samuel, Samella has never ranked in the top 1000 and has maintained a stable but very low usage pattern through the present. The name carries the meaning 'God has heard' from its Hebrew roots, and while it has not seen a revival, it remains a unique choice for parents drawn to vintage, underused names.
Samella is a feminine diminutive of Samuel, derived from the Hebrew name Shemu'el meaning 'God has heard' or 'name of God.' It emerged in the late 19th century as a variant of Samuella, following the pattern of creating feminine forms of biblical names. The name saw modest use in the United States during the early 1900s, particularly in the 1910s, but has remained rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sami, Ella, Sam
Sibling names for Samella
Names that share Samella's style, for a brother or sister.
