Rising since 1987, #643 for boys today.
Popularity of Samir since 1957
Babies named Samir per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 136 |
| 1970s | 562 |
| 1980s | 877 |
| 1990s | 1,325 |
| 2000s | 2,349 |
| 2010s | 3,142 |
| 2020s | 2,698 |
Meaning & origin
Samir is a masculine name of Arabic origin, meaning 'companion in night conversation,' drawn from the root s-m-r. It entered U.S. records in 1957 and has been steadily rising in usage, especially since 1987. As of 2025, Samir ranks 643 with a frequency of 1 in 3,936 newborns, and it reached its peak popularity in 2023. The name is most commonly used in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, and Georgia, reflecting its appeal in culturally diverse urban centers. While still modest in overall rank, Samir has gained traction alongside other Arabic-origin names like Amir and Zayn, appealing to families seeking a name with deep cultural roots and a pleasant meaning.
Samir derives from the Arabic root s-m-r, which carries the sense of ‘conversing at night’ or ‘nightly companionship.’ It is related to the masculine name Samir and the feminine Samira, both common across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities globally. The name has been used in the Middle East for centuries and gained broader recognition in the West during the late 20th century.
Where Samir 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.
“Samir” around the world
Where Samir lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sam, Sammy
Sibling names for Samir
Names that share Samir's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Layla, Nadia, Zara, Maya, Amira, Alia, Bayan, Dalia, Layan, Leila, Leyla, Salma, Yasmeen, Yasmine, Zaida, Aida, Aneesa, Daniyah, Leilah, Meera, Nadeen, Nisa, Raisa, Rana, Rania, Reem, Reema, Reena, Ruhi, Sabra, Sahar, Shamira, Yasmina, Zaina, Zaira, Zoraida, Akila, Amel, Amera, Amra, Aneesha, Bushra, Dalal, Fara, Jasmina, Kimia, Nadiyah, Naira, Najwa, Niema, Nur, Raneem, Ranya, Reshma, Sadaf, Saja, Samera, Soha, Suha, Zahari, Zuleika, Amaal, Amala, Ammara, Ashika, Dhanya, Diala, Jenan, Kimiya, Ladan, Mishal, Najia, Nashira, Rameen, Saadia, Saleema, Samani, Sameria, Samika, Sanyla, Saroya, Sema, Shayda, Sireen, Sorayah, Wania, Wateen, Zhara, Zulay, Rabab, Aailyah, Aniza, Ariba, Asal, Atisha, Belkys, Besan, Cuma, Deem, Janat, Kamilya, Linah, Maysun, Najat, Namirah, Narmeen, Nimah, Nury, Riham, Rim, Ritaj, Rula, Samariya, Seham, Shatha, Sira, Tima, Yassmine, Yesmin, Yeva, Zohal, Zuleica
Brothers: Amir, Khalil, Zayn, Omar, Rami, Kamari, Amil, Arman, Kalil, Kamal, Mazen, Nael, Reda, Tarik, Aasir, Arshan, Asaad, Asir, Bader, Basel, Dewan, Emad, Majd, Mazin, Milad, Nabeel, Rafi, Rajah, Ramy, Rayhan, Rihan, Shadi, Suhail, Yamir, Yazen, Zein, Ziyad, Amer, Aws, Ayaz, Calil, Gurman, Haron, Hazem, Isam, Khalel, Nayib, Paarth, Ramar, Shahan, Wadie, Wissam, Zaim, Ahil, Ahmeer, Akif, Aous, Azaad, Azzam, Harim, Ismar, Khush, Mohab, Nahir, Oday, Rafan, Saber, Sadiel, Safir, Samil, Savyon, Sharbel, Taimur, Zoraiz, Zyad
Names like Samir
Names whose popularity has moved with Samir's over the last 50 years.
