Emma vs Samantha

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emma →

Samantha

Girl #127 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"told by God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#127
Total SSA Count
2,221
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy, Sami

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Samantha →

Popularity Comparison

Emma Rank #2
Samantha Rank #127

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #127 for Samantha.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Samantha ___

  • Samantha Grace
  • Samantha Rose
  • Samantha Jane
  • Samantha Marie
  • Samantha Lee
  • Samantha Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

If you choose Samantha

Jessica Amanda Matthew Christopher Brittany

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emma or Samantha more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Samantha at #127 in the United States.

What do Emma and Samantha mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Samantha means "told by God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Emma and Samantha boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Samantha is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Emma ← Full profile: Samantha Browse all baby names