boys' name · peaked 2017

Sampson

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.

Every Sampson since 1880 — 3,901 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1898Boys
Rank 2025
#3,435
among boys
Babies in 2025
34
named Sampson
Peak year
2017
61 babies
All-time total
3,901
since 1880

The story of Sampson

Sampson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,435 in 2025 with 34 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 3,901 American babies have been named Sampson. Its peak came in 2017, when 61 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.

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 Sampson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Sampson year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 34 #3,435
2024 34 #3,446
2023 38 #3,216
2022 42 #2,989
2021 46 #2,766
2020 57 #2,363
2019 41 #2,986
2018 50 #2,572
2017 61 #2,213
2016 51 #2,510
2015 57 #2,323
2014 42 #2,838
2013 39 #2,943
2012 38 #3,053
2011 35 #3,228
2010 31 #3,514
2009 34 #3,319
2008 40 #2,998
2007 43 #2,799
2006 37 #3,019
2005 35 #3,004
2004 29 #3,355
2003 34 #2,915
2002 35 #2,740
2001 31 #2,978
2000 36 #2,614
1995 34 #2,339
1990 35 #2,121
1985 31 #1,913
1980 31 #1,847
1975 20 #2,273
1970 21 #1,979
1965 18 #1,905
1960 33 #1,396
1955 34 #1,309
1950 27 #1,426
1945 19 #1,570
1940 25 #1,362
1935 21 #1,534
1930 37 #1,170
1925 35 #1,219
1920 43 #1,086
1915 23 #1,450
1910 12 #975
1905 12 #732
1900 20 #551
1895 10 #734
1890 8 #803
1885 8 #754
1880 5 #1,037

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sampson mean?

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.

How popular is the name Sampson in 2025?

Sampson ranked #3,435 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 34 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Sampson?

3,901 babies have been named Sampson in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Sampson most popular?

Sampson peaked in 2017, when 61 newborns received the name.

Is Sampson a boy or girl name?

Sampson is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Sampson rising or falling?

Sampson is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Sampson

Compare Sampson with similar names →