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Samella

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Samella

Pronounced suh-MEL-uh /səˈmɛlə/Medium

Meaning: Samella is most plausibly a feminine elaboration of Samuel, joining the Sam- root to the Italianate -ella, 'little'. Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, usually read as 'God has heard' or 'name of God', and Samella carries that sense into a graceful feminine form. It saw particular use in African-American communities of the early twentieth century.Low

In 30 seconds: Samella is a feminine name likely built on Samuel with an -ella ending, echoing Hebrew for 'God has heard' (said suh-MEL-uh).

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Origin LowHebrew, English

MeaningSamella is most plausibly a feminine elaboration of Samuel, joining the Sam- root to the Italianate -ella, 'little'. Samuel comes from the Hebrew Shemu'el, usually read as 'God has heard' or 'name of God', and Samella carries that sense into a graceful feminine form. It saw particular use in African-American communities of the early twentieth century.

U.S. rank (1994)#13072 ↘ Falling

1994 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 716

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Samella reads as a feminine coined from Samuel, the Hebrew 'God has heard', dressed with the -ella suffix common to Estella and Luella. It appears in American birth records, notably in African-American families, across the early twentieth century.

It never grew common, reaching only a couple dozen girls a year around 1918 before easing away. A Samella from that time belongs to a great-grandmother's generation now, and the name keeps a melodic, faith-tinged vintage warmth.

Did you know? Samella pairs the Samuel root, 'God has heard', with the pretty -ella ending shared by Isabella and Estella.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Samella — Likely feminine of Samuel + -ella; Hebrew 'God has heard'

Variations

SamuellaSamellaSammella

Nicknames

SamElla

Famous Bearers

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If you like Samella…

Estella— a like -ella ending vintage name

Luella— another homespun -ella name of the era

Samuella— a near-twin feminine of Samuel

Daniella— a comparably elaborated Hebrew-root name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Samella mean?

It's most likely a feminine of Samuel with an -ella ending, echoing Hebrew for 'God has heard'.

How do you pronounce Samella?

It's said suh-MEL-uh /səˈmɛlə/, three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Samella a boy or girl name?

Samella is used as a girl's name.

Is Samella a popular name?

No, it was always rare, an elaborated name seen only faintly in the early twentieth century.