The first name Samson
A boy’s name from Hebrew.
Pronounced /ˈsæmsən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
From Middle English Sampson, Sampsoun, Samson, from Latin Samson, from Ancient Greek Σαμψών (Sampsṓn), from Hebrew שִׁמְשׁוֹן.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 41 boys were named Samson, making it the 798th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2016, with 90 births (#452).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Samson with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Samson at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 639 boys born in the United States were named Samson, the 477th most popular boys’ name that year.
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.
Samson in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Samson in French too.
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
Famous people named Samson
12 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Samson KiturAthletics competitor from Kenya (1966-2003)
- Samson BaidooAustrian association football player, born 2004
- Samson FrançoisFrench pianist and composer (1924–1970)
- Samson RaphaelsonAmerican writer (1894–1983)
- Samson BurkeCanadian professional wrestler and actor, born 1929
- Samson MbinguiGabonese footballer, born 1992
- Samson WertheimerEuropean rabbi (1658-1724)
- Samson ChanbaAbkhazian writer and statesman (1886–1937)
- Samson Shukardin21st-century Catholic bishop, born 1961
- Samson DadianiGeorgian politician and lawyer, 1885–1937
- Vinny AppiceAmerican drummer, born 1957
- Paul TanneryFrench mathematician (1843–1904)
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Samson mean?
- From Middle English Sampson, Sampsoun, Samson, from Latin Samson, from Ancient Greek Σαμψών (Sampsṓn), from Hebrew שִׁמְשׁוֹן.
- What is the origin of the name Samson?
- From Middle English Sampson, Sampsoun, Samson, from Latin Samson, from Ancient Greek Σαμψών (Sampsṓn), from Hebrew שִׁמְשׁוֹן.
- How popular is the name Samson?
- In 2025, 41 boys born in England and Wales were named Samson, ranking 798th. Its peak was 2016, with 90 births.
- Is Samson a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 12,879 US babies named Samson since 1880 were boys.
- When was Samson most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 639 babies were named Samson, its highest rank at 477th.
- How do you pronounce Samson?
- Samson is /ˈsæmsən/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Samson?
- Sampson.
- Is Samson also a surname?
- Yes. Samson is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.