What Does the Name Samson Mean?
Samson is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “sun; man of the sun.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Samson |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | sun; man of the sun |
| Variants | Shimshon, Sampson, Sansone, Samsón |
| Popularity | Used across English-speaking countries and parts of Africa; a longstanding biblical name. |
The meaning and origin of Samson
The name Samson means “sun; man of the sun” and has Hebrew origins. From the Hebrew 'Shimshon', derived from 'shemesh' (sun), meaning 'sun' or 'of the sun'. In the Bible, the Israelite judge famed for his supernatural strength.
Variants and related names
Samson is related to several other names you may recognize: Shimshon, Sampson, Sansone, Samsón. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Samson?
Used across English-speaking countries and parts of Africa; a longstanding biblical name.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Samson mean?+
The name Samson means “sun; man of the sun” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Samson?+
Samson originates from Hebrew.
Is Samson a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Samson has trended in the US over time.
Samson by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press