Gender Masculine
Scripts שִׁמְשׁוֹן(Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced Pron. SAM-sən(English) SAHN-SAWN(French)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

From the Hebrew name שִׁמְשׁוֹן (Shimshon), derived from שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh) meaning "sun". Samson was an Old Testament hero granted exceptional strength by God. His mistress Delilah betrayed him and cut his hair, stripping him of his power. Thus he was captured by the Philistines, blinded, and brought to their temple. However, in a final act of strength, he pulled down the pillars of the temple upon himself and his captors.

This name was known among the Normans due to the Welsh bishop Saint Samson, who founded monasteries in Brittany and Normandy in the 6th century. In his case, the name may have been a translation of his true Celtic name. As an English name, Samson was common during the Middle Ages, having been introduced by the Normans.

Related Names

DiminutivesSammie, Sammy(English)
Other Languages & CulturesShams(Arabic) Sampson(Biblical Greek) Shimshon(Biblical Hebrew) Shimshon(Hebrew) Sansone(Italian) Shams(Persian) Shamash(Semitic Mythology) Shams(Urdu)
Surname DescendantsSampson, Samson(English) Samson(French)
User SubmissionsSámson, Samsón

Popularity

People think this name is

classic   mature   formal   upper class   natural   wholesome   strong   strange   serious  

Name Days

France: July 28
Poland: July 10
Poland: July 28
Romania: June 27

Images

Samson destroying the Philistine temple in an image by Gustave Doré (1866)Samson destroying the Philistine temple in an image by Gustave Doré (1866)

Categories

Entry updated May 29, 2020