Samson

How to say it

ˈsæm.sən

What it means

Hebrew, 'sun'; the name of the legendary biblical strongman.

Samson comes from the Hebrew Shimshon, rooted in shemesh, 'sun.' In the Bible he is the long-haired strongman whose power lived in his hair until Delilah cut it. The name carries that mix of light and might, and it shares the friendly short Sam with Samuel. Bold and storied. Said SAM-son.

How to spell Samson

The standard spelling is Samson. Common variants include Sampson, Shimshon, but Samson is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Nickname

  Sam.

• Worth knowing

  The biblical strongman undone by Delilah.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Samson Old Testament judge in the Book of Judges famed for his God-given strength

Spelling variants

• Sampson
• Shimshon

Names with the same feeling

• Samuel Heard by God
• Solomon Peace
• Gideon Hewer, mighty warrior
• Malachi My messenger
• Judah Praised

See Samson from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Samson mean?

Hebrew, 'sun'; the name of the legendary biblical strongman.

What does Samson mean in Hebrew?

In Hebrew, Samson means "Sun." Samson comes from the Hebrew Shimshon, rooted in shemesh, 'sun.' In the Bible he is the long-haired strongman whose power lived in his hair until Delilah cut it. The name carries that mix of light and might, and it shares the friendly short Sam with Samuel. Bold and storied. Said SAM-son.

How do you pronounce Samson?

Samson is pronounced ˈsæm.sən. Say it as SAM-son, with the stress on the "sam" syllable.

How do you spell Samson?

The standard spelling is Samson. Common spelling variants include Sampson, Shimshon.

Is Samson a boy or girl name?

Samson is traditionally a masculine name.

How popular is the name Samson?

Samson ranked #477 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.