How Many People Are Named Sam?
Complete statistics for the name Sam: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Sam is a classic name with roots tracing back centuries, making it rare yet familiar. It's estimated that 1 in 6,800 Americans today are named Sam, totaling around 48,530 people. The majority, 77%, are over 60, giving the name a distinctly older feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, the life-path number 6 symbolizes harmony, responsibility, and nurturing.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 83All 127,890 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1918Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Sam Through the Generations
Sam has been a steady presence throughout American history, peaking in popularity during World War I in 1918 with 2,528 births. Over time, its usage has slowly declined, but it remains a cherished name among older generations. Today, the age distribution shows a significant skew towards those over 60, with 98,099 individuals in this age bracket, compared to just 14,622 under 30. This trend reflects the enduring legacy of Sam as an old-school favorite, passed down through generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Sam
Sam is a unisex given name. It is often short for other names, such as Samuel or Samantha.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Sam's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Sam
How Many People Have the Name Sam?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 12,973 people in the United States currently share the name Sam. That works out to roughly 1 in every 25,549 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Sam a Common or Rare Name?
Sam is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Sam in SSA data, approximately 98% are male and 2% are female.
When Was Sam Most Popular?
The name Sam reached peak popularity in 1918, with 2,528 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Sam?
Approximately 12,973 people named Sam live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 12,973. That works out to roughly 1 in 25,549 Americans.
Is Sam a rare name?
Sam is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 25,549 Americans has this name.
What does the name Sam mean?
The meaning and origin of Sam are shown in the Meaning & Origin section on this page.
Is Sam more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 98% of people named Sam are male and 2% are female.
When was Sam most popular?
Sam peaked in 1918 with 2,528 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.