Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Samarra

Samarra

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Samarra

Pronounced suh-MAR-uh /sΙ™Λˆmɑːr.Ι™/Medium

Meaning: Samarra is a double-r form of Samara, usually traced to Hebrew shamar, 'to guard', hence 'guarded by God' or 'protected'. The spelling also coincides with the ancient Iraqi city of Samarra, though the girl's name comes through Samara.Low

In 30 seconds: Samarra elaborates Samara, tied to Hebrew 'guarded by God', and echoes the old city of the same name (said 'suh-MAR-uh').
πŸ’• Browse more names
Made for Samarra
Samarra
Custom knit blankets, embroidered with her name.
See Samarra blankets
Amazon affiliate link
mamaraya
Affiliate link
🍼
Essentials for baby
Baby care from Dr. Talbot’s
Bottles, diapering, bath and nasal care — 23 picks.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop baby essentials
Origin LowHebrew
MeaningSamarra is a double-r form of Samara, usually traced to Hebrew shamar, 'to guard', hence 'guarded by God' or 'protected'. The spelling also coincides with the ancient Iraqi city of Samarra, though the girl's name comes through Samara.
U.S. rank (2024)#17198 β†— Rising
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 419
🌸
Essentials for mom
What she’ll actually want in week one
Peri-bottle, nursing pads, postpartum ice packs — 29 picks from Dr. Talbot’s.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop mom essentials

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 200419762024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Samarra takes Samara, generally linked to Hebrew shamar, 'to guard', and doubles the r. The result also mirrors the name of the ancient city of Samarra on the Tigris, giving the name a second, geographic echo.

As a given name this spelling has always been rare, appearing from the later nineteen-seventies and again in the two-thousands. It stays an uncommon, softly exotic alternative to Samara.

Did you know? Samarra shares its spelling with a storied city in Iraq β€” the setting of the phrase 'appointment in Samarra' β€” while as a girl's name it flows from the Hebrew Samara, 'guarded by God'.
Overall data confidence 50%
References β€” Samarra β€” elaboration of Samara; Hebrew shamar; city echo

Variations

SamaraSamiraSamarah

Nicknames

SamMara

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Samarra…

Samaraβ€” the base name Samarra elaborates
Samiraβ€” a like Semitic girl's name of similar sound
Saharaβ€” another place-echoing name with a soft three-beat rhythm
Tamaraβ€” shares the -ara ending and gentle flow

Explore names like Samarra

By themerarehebrewplace-echo

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Samarra mean?

Samarra is a form of Samara, usually linked to Hebrew shamar, 'to guard', hence 'guarded by God'.

How do you pronounce Samarra?

It's said suh-MAR-uh /sΙ™Λˆmɑːr.Ι™/ β€” three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Samarra a boy or girl name?

Samarra is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Samarra?

Samarra has always been rare in the U.S., an uncommon elaboration of Samara.

πŸ’¬ Ask Nia