Samara is a name of Arabic origin that translates to "garden" or "paradise". It is derived from the Arabic word "samar", which means "to flow or run with water". The name has been popularized by various characters in popular culture, such as the protagonist in the horror film "The Ring" and the villainous queen in the animated series "She-Ra: Princess of Power". However, its origins date back much further than these modern references. Samara is believed to have been used as a name for both boys and girls in medieval Islamic societies, although it has become more commonly associated with females in recent years. Despite its association with garden or paradise imagery, there is no specific historical figure or event tied to the name Samara. Rather, it is simply an aesthetically pleasing name that has been used throughout history and continues to be popular today.
The name Samara experienced a significant increase in popularity from the mid-1960s onwards, with a notable spike starting around 1975. Between 1949 and 1974, the number of annual births named Samara fluctuated between 5 and 78. However, from 1975 to 2023, the popularity of the name surged dramatically, with over 100 births per year every year except for 1976. The peak occurred in 2022 with 1190 births, marking a considerable shift in the naming trend over the decades.