Sami
From Northern Sami Sápmi, from one of the Sami languages, of uncertain origin/meaning, but possibly related to Proto-Balto-Slavic *źémijāˀ (“land”).
Every Sami since 1945 — 6,727 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sami
Sami is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,114 in 2025 with 193 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1945, 6,727 American babies have been named Sami — about 79% boys and 21% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2025, when 220 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 Sami stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sami year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 | #4,969 | 193 | #1,114 |
| 2024 | 21 | #5,929 | 156 | #1,269 |
| 2023 | 27 | #4,976 | 147 | #1,308 |
| 2022 | 32 | #4,453 | 123 | #1,476 |
| 2021 | 16 | #7,205 | 137 | #1,356 |
| 2020 | 28 | #4,735 | 137 | #1,319 |
| 2019 | 17 | #6,968 | 122 | #1,440 |
| 2018 | 26 | #5,126 | 160 | #1,192 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,380 | 174 | #1,113 |
| 2016 | 23 | #5,768 | 164 | #1,165 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,549 | 168 | #1,133 |
| 2014 | 21 | #6,174 | 148 | #1,235 |
| 2013 | 21 | #6,214 | 134 | #1,294 |
| 2012 | 25 | #5,533 | 124 | #1,366 |
| 2011 | 14 | #8,550 | 144 | #1,218 |
| 2010 | 26 | #5,384 | 137 | #1,277 |
| 2009 | 24 | #5,857 | 140 | #1,264 |
| 2008 | 22 | #6,317 | 155 | #1,167 |
| 2007 | 26 | #5,499 | 139 | #1,269 |
| 2006 | 22 | #6,093 | 135 | #1,247 |
| 2005 | 39 | #3,794 | 132 | #1,208 |
| 2004 | 23 | #5,518 | 139 | #1,139 |
| 2003 | 23 | #5,379 | 123 | #1,203 |
| 2002 | 16 | #6,981 | 124 | #1,152 |
| 2001 | 18 | #6,260 | 126 | #1,122 |
| 2000 | 20 | #5,658 | 94 | #1,359 |
| 1995 | 22 | #4,649 | 75 | #1,367 |
| 1990 | 18 | #5,235 | 71 | #1,325 |
| 1985 | 15 | #5,033 | 46 | #1,477 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,232 | 23 | #2,274 |
| 1975 | 18 | #3,738 | 20 | #2,272 |
| 1970 | 19 | #3,408 | 15 | #2,492 |
| 1965 | 17 | #3,133 | 11 | #2,596 |
| 1960 | 10 | #4,405 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 5 | #4,311 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | 5 | #5,137 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Sami
- Sami Frashëri Writer · 1850–1904
- Sami Frey Actor · b. 1937
- Sami Khedira Soccer player · b. 1987
- Sami Yusuf Singer · b. 1980
- Sami Hyypiä Soccer player · b. 1973
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sami mean?
From Northern Sami Sápmi, from one of the Sami languages, of uncertain origin/meaning, but possibly related to Proto-Balto-Slavic *źémijāˀ (“land”).
How popular is the name Sami in 2025?
Sami ranked #1,114 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 193 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sami?
6,727 babies have been named Sami in the United States since 1945, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sami most popular?
Sami peaked in 2025, when 220 newborns received the name.
Is Sami a boy or girl name?
Sami is used for both: about 21% of babies named Sami have been girls and 79% boys.
Is the name Sami rising or falling?
Sami is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sami?
Well-known people named Sami include Sami Frashëri (writer), Sami Frey (actor), Sami Khedira (soccer player).