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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Sami

35 replies

Butterfly93 · 26/12/2020 15:32

What do you guys think of the name Sami for a boy?

I personally love it, I once met a teenage guy named Sami (my nephew’s best mate) he was half English half Arabic, he was gorgeous and with such a kind soul, and since then I just love this name 😍 I said to my partner if one day we have a son I’d love him to be named Sami

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Original poster
Butterfly93 · 27/12/2020 17:47

Spencer as well can be for both. Spencer s mounds feminine to me just because it reminds me of Spencer from the series Pretty Little Liars :D

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Original poster
Butterfly93 · 27/12/2020 17:41

I guess it’s the same as the name Charlie, to some people it sounds feminine and to others it sounds masculine. I have a colleague named Charlie he’s a guy, but I know of a few women named Charlie too so it’s a mixed name. Sami is masculine everywhere except English speaking countries, so English people might find it feminine. Oh well 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ Too complicated

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MawkishHawk · 27/12/2020 17:02

I know a Sami who is of Palestinian descent so I’d assume Arabic heritage I think. He goes by Sam in general though, and says a lot of people expect a woman if they just see his name written down.

Calmondeck · 27/12/2020 16:06

P.S and the fact Sami seems to be a popular choice in some European countries, and some MENA countries, is a bonus in my mind. Easy to pronounce and recognisable across cultures.

Calmondeck · 27/12/2020 16:01

I don’t love Samuel either but I love Sam. I think Sam is strong enough as a stand-alone name, just like Jack, Tom, Hugh etc. I imagine (with such a trend for nicknames) that any Sam will get called Sami (or Sammy/Sammie/Sammi) by family and friends as a nickname/endearment. As you say, Sami and Sammy are pronounced the same so if you love the sound, go for it. I know both a male and female Sam who both go by Sammy. It’s a great choice.

notafanoftheman · 27/12/2020 15:50

If you love it, use it. It’s not like you’re thinking of calling him bog roll or something.

Original poster
Butterfly93 · 27/12/2020 15:25

Thanks guys! I can see it’s definitely not that common in the uk, that’s why there’s such a mixed feedback especially regarding the ethnicity. I’m half French and lots of boys named Sami over there, that’s why it surprised me when some of you said it sounded feminine. I guess if one day we move to France it would be fine to name him Sami, but maybe not so much if we stay in the Uk. I don’t like the name Samuel tho :( will need to keep thinking of different names and get some more ideas

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Original poster
Butterfly93 · 27/12/2020 15:22

@december2020

Sami is also a typical Finnish boy's name. Being Scandi, I like it!
Oh I didn’t know it was also popular over there x
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notafanoftheman · 27/12/2020 14:53

Except Sami is a well established name and Chinese isn’t.

december2020 · 27/12/2020 12:44

Sami is also a typical Finnish boy's name.
Being Scandi, I like it!

RedskyAtnight · 27/12/2020 12:23

@HeadlessGummyBears

Unless you are of Arab descent/ have traced long lost Arab ancestors and therefore have some kind of Arab/middle Eastern root, I think it would be best to go for Samuel with the nickname Sammy as a good compromise.
Yes I agree with this. Or just call them Sammy (not for short) if you like the sound of the name.

If you and your baby's father are both white, I would also strongly recommend not giving your child a name that people will assume means they are from a minority ethnic background. Probably not palatable to say these days, but realistically with a name that sounds like they have a non-white background, they will suffer unconscious bias from people who see their name before they meet them, and why would you impose that on your child?

rorosemary · 27/12/2020 10:17

@Butterfly93

Well... naming someone French or Chinese doesn’t sound the same as Sami or even Sammy- does it. People always exaggerating it’s mad. I don’t care if there’s a town or a region named this way too. Some people name their kid Florence (Italian city) or even Odessa (Russian name which is also a city in Ukraine), who cares
Well if you didn't want my opinion then you shouldn't have posted. I wasn't exaggerating, that is exactly how it comes across to me. By all means name your kid what you want but don't ask for opinions and get snippy when you get them.
elfran · 27/12/2020 08:05

I know a Sami, he's Jewish with an Israeli mum. It's definitely a boy's name, doesn't even "sound feminine" to me. Hmm

HeadlessGummyBears · 27/12/2020 07:51

Unless you are of Arab descent/ have traced long lost Arab ancestors and therefore have some kind of Arab/middle Eastern root, I think it would be best to go for Samuel with the nickname Sammy as a good compromise.

ShouldHaveCouldHaveWouldHave · 26/12/2020 22:26

Isn’t Rami Malek’s twin called Sami? I like it.

RedskyAtnight · 26/12/2020 22:25

I would assume that the person was of Asian/Arabic background. So would find it odd if the person wasn't.

You will find it being constantly misspelt.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 26/12/2020 22:18

I know a little Sammie short for Samuel. It's gorgeous and suits him so well.

Weedsnseeds1 · 26/12/2020 22:15

It's not that there's a town or region. The Sami are an indigenous people.
www.britannica.com/topic/Sami

AuntieStella · 26/12/2020 22:12

I know a Sami (short for Samir)

I like it

Bluesername · 26/12/2020 22:10

Sami is a really nice name.

Firebird83 · 26/12/2020 19:31

I prefer Sammy short for Samuel, but I’m biased!

inappropriateraspberry · 26/12/2020 17:41

And who calls their child Odessa?

inappropriateraspberry · 26/12/2020 17:41

@Butterfly93 it sounds the same, but is spelt differently, so to anyone reading a job application etc it would be more familiar. Still feminine though.

Original poster
Butterfly93 · 26/12/2020 17:30

Well... naming someone French or Chinese doesn’t sound the same as Sami or even Sammy- does it. People always exaggerating it’s mad. I don’t care if there’s a town or a region named this way too. Some people name their kid Florence (Italian city) or even Odessa (Russian name which is also a city in Ukraine), who cares

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Original poster
Butterfly93 · 26/12/2020 17:25

@inappropriateraspberry

How about Sammi?
Doesn’t make much difference to me whether it’s Sami or Sammi, still pronounced exactly the same isn’t it
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