indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Masculine
Meaning & History
'In its origin the name has no connection with Samuel. The meaning is uncertain, though similar words occur in several African languages, and the name itself was planted in American by African-born slaves.'In the long run it became the most common of the African names, and even came to stand as a generic name for a black. The influence of Samuel (often, Sam) was undoubtedly a factor in this popularity. Like Samuel, Sambo declined in popularity toward the end of the 19th century.'(Source: George Rippey Stewart, 1979)