The first name Sam

In 2025, 115 boys were named Sam, making it the 363rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 1,638 births (#47).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Sam with other names.

In 2025, 428 boys born in the United States were named Sam, the 647th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1918, when 2,506 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Sam Worthington
  Australian and English actor (born 1976)
• Sam Rockwell
  American actor (born 1968)
• Sam Houston
  American statesman, politician, and soldier (1793-1863)
• Sam Shepard
  American playwright and actor (1943–2017)
• Sam Peckinpah
  American film director (1925–1984)
• Sam Elliott
  American actor (born 1944)
• Sam Waterston
  American actor, producer and director (born 1940)
• Sam Claflin
  British actor, born 1986
• Sam Allardyce
  English association football player and manager, born 1954
• Sam Querrey
  American tennis player (born 1987)
• Sam Johnstone
  English association football player (born 1993)
• Sam Hinds
  5th Prime Minister of Guyana, born 1943

How popular is the name Sam?

In 2025, 115 boys born in England and Wales were named Sam, ranking 363rd. Its peak was 1996, with 1,638 births.

Is Sam a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 128,810 US babies named Sam since 1880 were boys.

When was Sam most popular?

1918 in the United States, when 2,506 babies were named Sam, its highest rank at 75th.

How do you pronounce Sam?

Sam is /ˈsæm/, one syllable.

What are other spellings of Sam?

Sams.

Is Sam also a surname?

Yes. Sam is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.