Rising since 2011, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Samwise since 2002
Babies named Samwise per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 22 |
| 2010s | 74 |
| 2020s | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Samwise is a rare literary name first recorded in official U.S. birth data in 2002, a reflection of the enduring popularity of J.R.R. Tolkien's works. It reached its peak rank of 4,857 in 2021, with an estimated 1 in 85,404 newborn boys in 2025 receiving the name. The name has been gradually rising in use since 2011, likely driven by the success of the Lord of the Rings film adaptations and the beloved character Samwise Gamgee. While not common, Samwise appeals to fans seeking a distinctive name with a strong, loyal association. It has been given to boys in various states, though not enough to make the top state lists.
Samwise is a name coined by J.R.R. Tolkien for the character Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien likely derived it from the Old English elements 'sām' (half) and 'wīs' (wise), though it may also be a combination of Sam and the suffix -wise. The name first appeared in print in 1954 with the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sam
Sibling names for Samwise
Names that share Samwise's style, for a brother or sister.
