Samson
Samson Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈsæm.sən/
Meaning of Samson: Samson derives from the Hebrew Shimshon, which most scholars trace to shemesh (sun), yielding an interpretation of "sun child" or "man of the sun." The -on suffix is a common Hebrew masculine ending. Some scholars alternatively connect the name to a root meaning "service," but the solar interpretation has dominated since the earliest rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Judges.
The biblical Samson was a Judge of Israel whose story occupies four chapters of Judges (13-16). His extraordinary physical strength - tied directly to his uncut hair as a Nazirite vow - allowed him to kill a lion barehanded, slaughter 1,000 Philistines with a donkey's jawbone, and carry the gates of Gaza on his shoulders. His betrayal by Delilah and his final revenge at the temple of Dagon made him one of the most dramatically compelling figures in the Hebrew scriptures.
The name entered Christian European culture through the Latin Vulgate and became synonymous with heroic physical strength. John Milton's 1671 verse drama Samson Agonistes further entrenched this reading, presenting Samson as a tragic hero blinded by the Philistines but ultimately triumphant in death - an interpretation that shaped English literature's view of the name for centuries.
What Does Samson Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, Samson maintained steady use in the US throughout the 20th century and began a gradual revival in the 2000s alongside other Old Testament names. It reached rank 522 in 2024 with 582 births, favored by families drawn to biblical names with strong narrative weight and sounds that feel both ancient and usable today.
Samson offers an Old Testament hero story of almost unmatched drama alongside a solar etymology, fitting naturally with the wave of serious biblical names - Ezra, Silas, Gideon - that defined American naming in the 2010s and 2020s. Etymology traced at Etymonline.
How Popular Is Samson?
Numerology & Symbolism of Samson
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Samson – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Samson
What does the name Samson mean?
The name Samson derives from Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. Hebrew names often carried direct meanings tied to religious concepts, tribal history, or divine attributes, giving them a lasting presence in Western naming traditions.
How popular is the name Samson in the United States?
According to SSA records, Samson ranked #522 for boy names in the United States, with 582 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Samson come from?
The name Samson comes from Hebrew. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of Hebrew-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a boy’s name across the English-speaking world.