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Baby names

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

Original poster

Samantha

55 replies

suzettenoisette · 24/09/2023 15:03

Would you say that Samantha is dated? What would you think of a baby Samantha?

We don't hate Sam, but we'd prefer if people called her Samantha. Too long?

I kind of dislike Sammy, is that an issue? Sam I don't mind (even though I'd prefer Samantha), but Sammy is really not my favourite.

Other options are Sabrina and Kiera as well as Holly and Poppy.

I loved Isabella and Eva (Eva-Marie, Eva-Maria) for a while, but now they'll likely be middle names.

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bringbacksideburns · 28/09/2023 11:26

I’m in my 50s and a Sam. I don’t mind that. The only person who calls me Samantha is oddly my best friend of 40 plus years!
I always refer to myself as Sam as I prefer it and think it’s a great name!

Showing my age as apparently I was named after the witch in Bewitched!

TheMurderousGoose · 28/09/2023 11:21

Thinking about it, I never knew any Samanthas when I was growing up, it was all boring old Orlas and Aoifes where I was. So the name Samantha sounded a bit exotic to me. A bit Grange Hill. Which to me at 8 was the height of cool. So, I think it must still have that association in my head.

TheMurderousGoose · 28/09/2023 11:13

I really like the name Samantha. It's definitely a bit dated but so what. All the Samanthas I've known have been lovely. They've all been Sams though, rather than Sammys.

I love Sabrina from your list too.

LilyLemonade · 27/09/2023 22:11

Samantha was so common it was boring when I was growing up. Now, looking at it objectively, it's a very pretty name - and I think you'll be a little bit ahead of the curve in terms of a revival of 60s and 70s names.

verabarbleen · 27/09/2023 20:00

@Brexile it's funny you should say that as I'm a Samantha but I always say to people it's odd it sounds more like a 'word' although if I take myself out of the equation I do think it's pretty . People will always call you Sam or Sammy though!

Bananalanacake · 27/09/2023 06:58

EllieQ - good point, I should watch it, I also like to think I named her after my favourite character from Sex and the City.

FKATondelayo · 26/09/2023 16:12

This is my name. It's a great name and I'd recommend it, it can be feminine or masculine and posh (SamCam) or common. There are some great pop culture Samanthas - Geena Davis's character in The Long Kiss Goodnight is one that hasn't been mentioned. Also there's the song. I get called all three syllables most of the time but I don't mind being called Sammie.

Dave x J Hus - Samantha

Samantha on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/SamanthaSpotifySamantha on Apple Music & iTunes: http://smarturl.it/SamanthaAppleProduced by Jae5Video by Dir. Lx Fol...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOslx4hKwZk

muddyford · 26/09/2023 16:06

Another lovely name.

bloodyeffinnora · 26/09/2023 16:02

I always think of Samantha in bewitched and there's a Samantha in Without a Trace. I do love the name.

EllieQ · 26/09/2023 13:00

Bananalanacake · 25/09/2023 19:24

I have one, she calls herself Sammy. DH named her after a character in Star Gate, which I've never seen.

Samantha Carter in Stargate is a great character, but weren’t you tempted to at least watch a couple of episodes before agreeing to the name?

Photographsandmemories · 26/09/2023 12:40

I know a Manthy

Buttercupsdaisiesdandelions · 26/09/2023 09:38

I know an Samantha in her early 20s, who is known as either Samantha or Mantha.

So I don't think Sam or Sammy are inevitable.

ElderMillenials · 26/09/2023 08:23

Brexile · 25/09/2023 20:49

Is it a made up name? I can't quite place it. I think that's what makes it sound dated, because it's not classic and it's no longer trendy.

Earliest records of Samantha are from 17th century so it's fairly established and had been steady in popularity since the 50/60s to the early 00s- not #1 but sat in the top 100. It's believed to be the feminine form of Samuel but there's no definitive evidence of that.

Brexile · 25/09/2023 20:49

Is it a made up name? I can't quite place it. I think that's what makes it sound dated, because it's not classic and it's no longer trendy.

Photographsandmemories · 25/09/2023 20:03

Lovely name

mathanxiety · 25/09/2023 20:02

It's a lovely name imo.

I'd place it alongside Stephanie - a little dated but still very acceptable.

I like Holly and Sabrina from your list of alternatives.

I love Eva-Marie.

Bananalanacake · 25/09/2023 19:24

I have one, she calls herself Sammy. DH named her after a character in Star Gate, which I've never seen.

KayEmAy · 25/09/2023 19:17

It's not that I think it's dated, but if you are not a fan of Sam or Sammy I would move it to the middle name list. Since I've never heard of those being shortened haha

Wish we could just trade thought because I'm the exact opposite, I LOVE Sam and Sammy but Samantha isn't quite my style haha

I really like Sabrina and Poppy too!

MiniTheMinx · 25/09/2023 15:39

I'm a Samantha. As a child I was Sammy, as an adult I am Sam despite introducing myself as Samantha. I hated my name as a child. As an adult I don't much care, I've been called worse!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 25/09/2023 15:27

Every Samantha I've ever known has had red hair. Indelibly strawberry blonde!

peaceinourtime · 25/09/2023 13:46

I had a former work colleague who named her new born daughter Samantha. I had thought it it’s a dated name. I knew two in school, one went my Mantha and the Sammy. I think Sammy or Sam are natural shortings that come from it.

Tessiebeare · 24/09/2023 23:14

I like Samantha. It’s recognisable and people will be able to spell it but is very unusual now and I bet she will be the only one in her class.

PurpIe · 24/09/2023 23:08

I absolutely adore it!

First reference for me is Bewitched, then Sex And The City.
Both fabulous, feisty, fun females.

theduchessofspork · 24/09/2023 23:00

I’d go with Sabrina which is fabulous

I like Samantha - it probably is early for a revival, and I don’t like Sam

Kiera is Ok (prefer Ciara)

Holly and Poppy are a bit wet

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/09/2023 21:39

Lovely name and quite refreshing for a little one now.