Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2025 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company

      Meaning of the first name
      Samantha

      Origin 
      American

      Meaning 
      Unknown

      Variations 
      Amantha, Calantha, Sumantra

      *Some content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model, in combination with data sourced from Ancestry records and provided by BabyNames.com.
      The name Samantha, although commonly associated with American origins, lacks a definitive meaning. Its etymology remains shrouded in mystery, with no clear consensus on its historical roots. Despite this ambiguity, Samantha has become a widely recognized and beloved name in modern times.

      While the exact origins of Samantha may be elusive, the name started gaining popularity in the United States during the 19th century. It is believed to have emerged as a feminine variant of the name Samuel, which has Hebrew origins and means heard by God. However, this connection is not universally accepted. The name Samantha began to appear more frequently in the late 1800s and early 1900s, becoming especially prominent in American literature and popular culture. It achieved widespread recognition through the iconic character Samantha Stephens in the television series Bewitched, which aired from 1964 to 1972.

      In present-day usage, Samantha remains a sought-after name across various cultures and countries. Its popularity has transcended its American origins and gained global appeal. Samantha is commonly chosen for its pleasant and melodic sound, rather than its historical meaning. It has become a symbol of strength, independence, and femininity. Whether it is due to its literary and cultural significance or its attractive phonetics, Samantha continues to be cherished as a timeless name that resonates with people around the world.
      Based on our records...
      This is the most common surname, spouse name and child name associated with Samantha.
      Smith

      is the most common surname for Samantha.

      John

      is the most common spouse name for Samantha.

      Mary

      is the most common child name for Samantha.

      Start your curiosity engines.

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Free Trial
      Order Ancestry
      did_you_know_bar
      Based on our records...
      Did you know?
      1850 is when there were the most people born with the first name Samantha.

      We'll guide you through the process of building and growing your tree

      Explore the origins of another name.