Samantha is a female given name of Greek origin that means "listener" or "one who hears well". The name Samantha comes from the Greek word "sophrosyne", which signifies wisdom and moderation.
The use of the name Samantha became popular in the United States during the late 20th century. It was introduced to American audiences through the character Samantha Stephens, played by Elizabeth Montgomery on the popular TV sitcom "Bewitched" (1964-1972). Since then, it has been a popular choice for parents naming their daughters.
Throughout history, there have been several notable people named Samantha, including Samantha Power, a former US Ambassador to the United Nations and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and Samantha Fox, a British singer and model who gained fame in the late 1980s.
"Samatha saw a significant peak in popularity between 1986 and 1990, with a high of 248 births in 1989. However, its usage has declined steadily since the late 1990s, with only 5 births recorded in 2018."