Samantha

Samantha is a female given name used in English-speaking countries. Its exact origin is uncertain. It is commonly considered the feminine form of Samuel, though there is limited historical evidence for this derivation. Some scholars propose that Samantha originated as a literary invention in the 18th or 19th century, later popularized by media and fiction.

In practice, Samantha became widely used in the United States and other English-speaking regions during the 20th century, with a notable rise in popularity in the late 20th century and continued usage into the 2000s. Like many names, its appeal has been reinforced by its presence in popular culture and by public figures who bear the name.

Notable people named Samantha include Samantha Smith, an American peace activist and child heroine; Samantha Power, an American diplomat and author; Samantha Bee, a Canadian-American comedian and broadcaster; Samantha Morton, a British actress; Samantha Jade, an Australian singer; Samantha Ronson, an American DJ and musician; Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut; and Samantha Mumba, an Irish singer.

Fictional characters named Samantha appear across television, film, and literature. Samantha Stephens is the witchy protagonist of Bewitched; Samantha Carter is a recurring character in the Stargate SG-1 franchise; Samantha Jones is a central figure in Sex and the City. In the 2013 film Her, Samantha is the voice-activated operating system persona that interacts with the protagonist.