Sami
Sami, also Sammy or Samy, is a given name and surname of different origins and meanings, most prevalent in the Arab world and Scandinavia.
Meaning & Origin of Sami
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Sami, also Sammy or Samy, is a given name and surname of different origins and meanings, most prevalent in the Arab world and Scandinavia.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Sami
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Sami as a girl name dates back to 1945, when 5 babies received it. 2005 was its biggest year on record, with 39 newborns named Sami — #3,730 in the national rankings. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #5,489 among girl names with 23 births, rising sharply (+23% over the past five years). In total, more than 1K Samis have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1940s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
American parents first put Sami on the record books as a boy name in 1955, with 5 registered babies. Its peak popularity came in 2017, when 174 Samis were born — ranking #1,110 that year. The 2010s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 27% of all recorded Samis. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #1,279 among boy names with 155 births, holding steady (+0%). In total, more than 5K Samis have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1950s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Sami
Phonetically similar names — useful when Sami is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sami
What does the name Sami mean?
How popular is Sami in 2026?
When was Sami most popular?
In which U.S. states is Sami most popular?
Is Sami a unisex name?
What names go well with Sami?
About the name Sami
Sami is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1955 and has accumulated 5K births in the dataset. Sami's peak popularity came in 2017 when it ranked #1,110. Use the chart and map above to compare Sami's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2017 →
- Names of the 2010s →
- Names starting with "S" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.