Samson
From Middle English Sampson, Sampsoun, Samson, from Latin Samson, from Ancient Greek Σαμψών (Sampsṓn), from Hebrew שִׁמְשׁוֹן.
Every Samson since 1892 — 12,879 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Samson
Samson is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #477 in 2025 with 639 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1892, 12,879 American babies have been named Samson. Its peak came in 2025, when 639 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Samson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Samson year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 639 | #477 |
| 2024 | 585 | #522 |
| 2023 | 517 | #565 |
| 2022 | 491 | #585 |
| 2021 | 473 | #590 |
| 2020 | 495 | #566 |
| 2019 | 488 | #573 |
| 2018 | 512 | #546 |
| 2017 | 440 | #602 |
| 2016 | 481 | #577 |
| 2015 | 434 | #619 |
| 2014 | 420 | #627 |
| 2013 | 360 | #671 |
| 2012 | 280 | #802 |
| 2011 | 243 | #868 |
| 2010 | 244 | #863 |
| 2009 | 241 | #878 |
| 2008 | 214 | #945 |
| 2007 | 225 | #894 |
| 2006 | 220 | #892 |
| 2005 | 151 | #1,099 |
| 2004 | 176 | #956 |
| 2003 | 158 | #1,005 |
| 2002 | 183 | #890 |
| 2001 | 173 | #907 |
| 2000 | 174 | #897 |
| 1995 | 122 | #1,009 |
| 1990 | 126 | #920 |
| 1985 | 109 | #873 |
| 1980 | 87 | #965 |
| 1975 | 40 | #1,404 |
| 1970 | 34 | #1,458 |
| 1965 | 21 | #1,769 |
| 1960 | 20 | #1,850 |
| 1955 | 23 | #1,639 |
| 1950 | 25 | #1,493 |
| 1945 | 15 | #1,843 |
| 1940 | 16 | #1,791 |
| 1935 | 16 | #1,824 |
| 1930 | 18 | #1,809 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,527 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1,875 |
| 1915 | 12 | #2,281 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,283 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Samson
- Samson Religious figure · b. -1118
- Samson Raphael Hirsch Writer · 1808–1888
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samson mean?
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?
Samson ranked #477 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 639 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Samson?
12,879 babies have been named Samson in the United States since 1892, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Samson most popular?
Samson peaked in 2025, when 639 newborns received the name.
Is Samson a boy or girl name?
Samson is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Samson rising or falling?
Samson is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Samson?
Well-known people named Samson include Samson (religious figure), Samson Raphael Hirsch (writer).