Sam
A short form of Samuel, and of Samantha.
Popularity, 1880–2025
Sam appears in the national records from the very first year, 1880. It has ranked among the top 100 names for American boys in every year from 1880 to 1926. Its biggest year was 1918, when 2,506 newborn boys received the name, ranking it No. 75 nationally. Its best ranking came in 1882, at No. 30. In 2025 it ranked No. 647 for boys. All told, 128,810 Americans have been given the name since 1880.
Related names
Other names that share a story: Samuel, Samantha
Explore Sam interactively →By the decade
| Decade | Births | Best rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,069 | No. 30 |
| 1890s | 4,941 | No. 38 |
| 1900s | 6,161 | No. 34 |
| 1910s | 18,544 | No. 39 |
| 1920s | 20,844 | No. 84 |
| 1930s | 13,350 | No. 110 |
| 1940s | 12,351 | No. 150 |
| 1950s | 10,052 | No. 201 |
| 1960s | 8,657 | No. 228 |
| 1970s | 4,516 | No. 320 |
| 1980s | 4,038 | No. 392 |
| 1990s | 5,437 | No. 383 |
| 2000s | 5,752 | No. 435 |
| 2010s | 5,034 | No. 471 |
| 2020s | 2,488 | No. 647 |
Births and rank shown for boys, the sex more often given the name. The Social Security Administration omits name–year combinations with fewer than five births.
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Data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby-name file, 1880–2025.