Samantha
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
First recorded in the U.S.A. in the 18th century. The etymology is uncertain. Most probably a feminine form of Samuel, possibly influenced by Anthea. Other suggestions include the Aramaic noun שמענתא (šemʿanta, “listener”) , from ܫܡܥܬܐ. In India, Samantha can be interpreted as a variant spelling of Samanta, from the Sanskrit word meaning "universal, adjacent".
Pronunciation [edit]
Proper noun [edit]
Samantha
- A female given name.
- 1876 Phebe Ann Hanaford, Women of the Century, page 525:
- These country girls, as they were called, had queer names, which added to the singularity of their appearance. Samantha, Triphena, Plumy, Leafy, Ruhamah, Lovey, and Florilla were among them.
- 1888, Marietta Holley, Josiah Allen's Wife as a P.A. and P.I.: Samantha at the Centennial, page 577:
- "Its name is Samantha Jo, after Josiah and me. - - - If it had been a boy, we was layin' out to call it Josiah Sam, - Sam for Samantha."
- 1967 Howard Fast, Samantha, I Books (2004), ISBN 0743479122, page 42:
- "Middle of the depression - who's going to give a kid a nutty name like Samantha? Today's another matter, but around then, from what I hear, people weren't thinking about these stylish names."
- 1985 Bobbie Ann Mason, In Country, Harper&Row, ISBN 0060154691, pages 182, 183:
- But here's my favorite name: Samuel. It's from the Bible. If it's a girl, name it Samantha. That sounds like something in a prayer, doesn't it? I think it's a name in the Chronicles. I've been reading the Bible every night." - - -
- She found the Book of Chronicles and scanned it. - - - There was no Samantha in either the first or the second book of the Chronicles.
- 1876 Phebe Ann Hanaford, Women of the Century, page 525:
Usage notes [edit]
- Popular in the English-speaking world from the 1970s to the 2000s.
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
female given name
German [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Borrowed from the English Samantha in the 1960s.
Proper noun [edit]
Samantha
- A female given name.
