Is Sami a boy or a girl name?

Sami is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 22% of children given the name Sami are girls and 78% are boys.

How popular is the name Sami in 2023?

Sami ranks #4976 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2017 with 190 babies.

How do you pronounce Sami?

Sami is pronounced SAH-mee (2 syllables).

What are common spellings of Sami?

Sami is also written as Samy, Saami.

A name from Arabic · Unisex

Sami

سَامِي

"Elevated, sublime, noble of character." From the same root as *ism* (name) and *samāʾ* (sky).

Compare

Popularity over time

A 78-year arc in numbers.

6,330 U.S. births recorded from 1945–2023.

Popularity · 1945–2023

174 births in 2023

1945 1984 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

S"Elevated, sublime, noble of character." From the same root as *ism* (name) and *samāʾ* (sky).

Etymology, in one line

Arabic root: s-m-w — س-م-و, elevation

Regional variants

Excellent bridge name — reads unambiguously in Arabic, English, and Finnish/European contexts. Very assimilation-friendly.

Variants & spellings

2 ways to spell "Sami".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Samy Most common Saami

Related guides

People who carry the name Sami.

S
Sami Zayn (WWE wrestler, Syrian-Canadian)

Quick answers

People often ask about Sami.

What does the name Sami mean?: Sami means "Elevated, sublime, noble of character." From the same root as *ism* (name) and *samāʾ* (sky).
Where does the name Sami come from?: Sami is a unisex name of Arabic origin. Excellent bridge name — reads unambiguously in Arabic, English, and Finnish/European contexts.
Is Sami a boy or a girl name?: Sami is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 22% of children given the name Sami are girls and 78% are boys.
How popular is the name Sami in 2023?: Sami ranks #4976 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2017 with 190 babies.
How do you pronounce Sami?: Sami is pronounced SAH-mee (2 syllables).
What are common spellings of Sami?: Sami is also written as Samy, Saami.

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About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meaning and cultural context drawn from classical sources: Lisan al-Arab, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Qur'an and Sunnah. If you spot an error, please let us know.

Sami

A 78-year arc in numbers.

A name that means something.

2 ways to spell "Sami".

Read more in the Almanac.

Arabic Names That Work in English Without Explanation

People who carry the name Sami.

People often ask about Sami.

If you love Sami, also consider…

About this page