Samantha Alternatives

Samantha although a gorgeous name, is fading in popularity and soon to be outdated. These names have potential to be great alternatives to the super popular name.
  1. Thea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "goddess, godly"
    • Description:

      Thea is a diminutive of names ending in -thea, including Dorothea, Althea, and Anthea. It is also the Anglicized spelling of Theia, the Titan of sight, goddess of light, and mother of the moon. She was the consort of Hyperion, and mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos.
  2. Alexandra
    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine form of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Alexandra fell out of the Top 100 for the first time since 1983 in 2015 but is still a popular choice. Strong, tasteful, and elegant, Alexandra remains a chic modern classic with a solid historic pedigree.
  3. Cassandra
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "shining or excelling man"
    • Description:

      The name of the tragic mythological Trojan princess who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but was condemned never to be believed, Cassandra has been used for striking characters in movies and soap operas. Ethereal and delicate, Cassandra was in the Top 70 throughout the 1990s but is now descending in popularity.
  4. Xanthe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "golden, yellow"
    • Description:

      X marks the spot in names these days, usually at the middles or ends of names, but here is one that puts it squarely up front.
  5. Tabitha
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"
    • Description:

      Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.
  6. Althea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "with healing power"
    • Description:

      Althea is a poetic, almost ethereal name found in Greek myth and pastoral poetry, associated in modern times with the great tennis player Althea Gibson, the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.
  7. Martha
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "lady"
    • Description:

      The name of our first First Lady still has something of a prim and proper image, academic and efficient. That quiet, traditional, and tasteful gestalt is exactly what makes Martha appealing to some parents today.
  8. Cynthia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "moon goddess or, woman from Kynthos"
    • Description:

      Cynthia is an attractive name -- in classical mythology an epithet for Artemis or Diana -- that was so overexposed in the middle of the twentieth century, along with its nickname Cindy, that it fell into a period of benign neglect, but now is ripe for reconsideration in its full form.
  9. Samara
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "under God's rule, companion in night conversation"
    • Description:

      Alluring and lovely — and much more distinctive now than Samantha or Tamara. Samara is a city in western Russia, a winged seed like the whirlygigs that fall from maple trees, as well as a bona fide first name that could make a more unusual update on Samantha or Mara. It can also be a variant spelling of the Arabic name Samira or Sameera.
  10. Alethea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now as one of the goddess names stylish for baby girls.
  11. Evanthe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "fair flower"
    • Description:

      Evanthe is a pretty Greek name not often heard outside its native culture. With its stylish Ev-begining, Evanthe could make an interesting choice if you're looking for a generic flower name.
  12. Anthea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "flowery"
    • Description:

      This unjustly neglected floral name has a BBC accent and a Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the Greek queen of the gods, and her name has been used as poetic symbol of spring.
  13. Calantha
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lovely flower"
    • Description:

      Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names.
  14. Amarantha
    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek
    • Meaning:

      "unfading"
    • Description:

      Amarantha is a rare botanical name whose mythical equivalent was believed to be immortal. The Italian and Spanish form is the somewhat-more-acccessible Amaranta.
  15. Iolanthe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "violet flower"
    • Description:

      Iolanthe is known primarily through the 1882 Gilbert & Sullivan operetta of that name, in which the title character is a fairy. Iolanthe is a softer version of Yolanda, and is the kind of multi-syllabic classical name once considered too weighty for a modern baby girl, but now within the realm of possibility--this one as a dramatic twist on Violet. The biggest drawback is its variety of legitimate pronunciations in English.
  16. Diantha
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "divine flower"
    • Description:

      Diantha, a mythological flower of the supreme Greek god Zeus, is a melodious and more unusual cousin of Diana, heard most often in The Netherlands.
  17. Samaya
    • Description:

      Samaya is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'time' or 'season,' while in Arabic traditions it can mean 'high' or 'elevated.' The name also appears in African cultures, particularly in Ethiopia. Samaya gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 2000s, appreciated for its melodic quality and distinctive sound while remaining relatively accessible to pronounce (sa-MAY-a). The name offers a multicultural appeal without being tied exclusively to one tradition, making it versatile for families with diverse backgrounds. Its pleasing rhythm and contemporary feel, combined with meaningful interpretations across cultures, contribute to its growing appeal in global naming trends.

  18. Melantha
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "dark flower"
    • Description:

      The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative.
  19. Samia
    • Description:

      Samia is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Arabic, it means 'elevated' or 'sublime,' while in Swahili traditions, it carries the meaning of 'one who is friendly.' The name also appears in Indian and Eastern European cultures. Samia features a pleasing rhythm with its three syllables and melodic flow. The name has gained modest popularity in diverse communities worldwide, appreciated for its international appeal and positive connotations. Its connection to qualities of friendship and elevation makes it meaningful while remaining accessible in pronunciation across different languages. Samia offers a beautiful option for parents seeking a name with cross-cultural resonance.

  20. Samaiya
    • Description:

      Samaiya is a feminine name with roots in Arabic and Hebrew languages. In Arabic, it relates to 'samā', meaning 'sky' or 'heaven,' giving the name celestial associations. Some interpretations connect it to meanings like 'elevated' or 'exalted.' This melodic name has gained modest popularity in diverse communities, particularly among Muslim and Jewish families. Samaiya offers a distinctive alternative to more common names like Samantha or Maya while carrying spiritual significance. The name's flowing syllables and exotic feel appeal to parents seeking something unique yet meaningful. While not among the most popular names, Samaiya has seen increased usage in multicultural communities across North America and Europe in recent decades.