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Home › Baby Names Directory › Samba

Samba

♂ Boy

Pronounced SAHM-bah /ˈsɑm.bɑ/Medium

Meaning: A West African (Serer/Fula) name, variously 'a second son'; also, unrelatedly, a Brazilian dance; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A second son: Samba is West African. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'SAHM-bah'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowWest African, Serer
MeaningA West African (Serer/Fula) name, variously 'a second son'; also, unrelatedly, a Brazilian dance; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#9681 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 167

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201019972024

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

Samba comes from the West African (Serer/Fula) — variously 'a second son'; also, unrelatedly, a Brazilian dance (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (said 'SAHM-bah').

In the U.S. it appears in West African families. Rare, a-second-son at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Samba is a West African (Serer/Fula) name, variously 'a second son' (and, unrelatedly, a Brazilian dance) — a crisp, classic name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'SAHM-bah').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Samba — West African; routes layered

Variations

SambaSambou

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Samba…

Saidou— a fellow West African boys' name
Ousmane— a companion West African boys' name
Amadou— a kin West African boys' name
Sekou— shares Samba's West African roots
Saikou— shares Samba's West African roots

Explore names like Samba

By themeuncertainwest-african

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Samba mean?

Samba is a West African (Serer/Fula) name, variously 'a second son'; the routes are layered (it is also, unrelatedly, a dance).

How do you pronounce Samba?

It's said SAHM-bah /ˈsɑm.bɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Samba a boy or girl name?

Samba is a boy's name.

How popular is Samba?

Samba is a very rare name in the U.S.

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