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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sampson

Sampson

♂ Boy

Pronounced SAMP-sun /ˈsæmp.sən/High

Meaning: Variant of Samson — Hebrew Shimshon, 'sun', from shemesh — the mighty biblical strongman; with an intrusive pHigh

In 30 seconds: The sun-bright strongman, with an extra p: Sampson varies Samson — 'sun', the hero whose strength lay in his hair. A surname-styled spelling of one of the Bible's mightiest names.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningVariant of Samson — Hebrew Shimshon, 'sun', from shemesh — the mighty biblical strongman; with an intrusive p
U.S. rank (2025)#3435 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,900

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802025

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

Sampson is a medieval English variant of Samson — Hebrew Shimshon, 'sun', from shemesh — the biblical judge of legendary strength. The intrusive 'p' marks the surname form, common in English records. A name of both Scripture and sturdy heritage.

In the U.S. it appears as a vintage-strong choice. Sun-rooted, mighty, and surname-handsome.

Did you know? Samson's name comes from the Hebrew for 'sun' (shemesh) — fitting for a hero of blazing strength, whose power famously vanished when his hair was cut.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Samson — root etymology

Variations

SamsonSampsone

Nicknames

SamSammy

Famous Bearers

  • ★Ralph Sampson (1960-)
    NBA center who won Rookie of the Year in 1984 and played for the Houston Rockets

If you like Sampson…

Samson— the standard spelling of the same name
Samuel— a fellow Sam- biblical classic
Gideon— the companion Old Testament hero-name
Solomon— another mighty biblical name

Explore names like Sampson

By themehebrewsurname-namebiblical
By meaningStrengthSun

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sampson mean?

Sampson is a variant of Samson, Hebrew for 'sun', the mighty biblical strongman.

How do you pronounce Sampson?

It's said SAMP-sun /ˈsæmp.sən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sampson a boy or girl name?

Sampson is a boy's name.

How popular is Sampson?

Sampson is a rare name in the U.S.

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