Sammy

Meaning: Its source is Shemuel, a Hebrew name meaning "God heard."

Nickname For: Samuel and Samson

Popularity: The name Sammy ranked 781st in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 413th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Some authorities interpret this name as ''requested of God,'' ''God's heart'' or ''God's name.''

In the Jewish scriptures, Samuel was the last judge of Israel. At the people's insistence, and with God's reluctant permission, he anointed Saul as Israel's first king. He was later forced to chastise Saul for disregarding God's commands, and ultimately sought out the shepherd boy David and anointed him as Saul's successor.

This name has strong associations with the United States. It was very popular among the Puritans during America's colonial period, and ''Uncle Sam'' has been the personal face of the U.S. government for well over a century.

Arts and Music

Sammy Cahn (born 1913, died 1993)
American songwriter.
- Wrote ''''High Hopes'''' and ''''Love and Marriage'''' (see list of Songwriters)
Sammy Fain (born 1902, died 1989)
American songwriter.
- Wrote ''''I''ll Be Seeing You'''' and ''''Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing'''' (see list of Songwriters)

Miscellaneous

Sammy Davis, Jr. (born 1925, died 1990)
American actor and singer.
- 1968 Spingarn Medal winner (see list of Spingarn Medal Winners)

Sports

Sammy Baugh
- Elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1963, as a charter member (see list of Professional Football Hall of Fame)
Sammy White
American football player.
- 1976 National Football Conference Rookie of the Year (see list of NFL Rookies of the Year)

Stage and Screen

Sammy Cahn (born 1913, died 1993)
American songwriter.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording (see list of Recording Personalites with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Sammy Davis, Jr. (born 1925, died 1990)
American actor and singer.
- 1987 Kennedy Center Honors recipient (see list of Kennedy Center Honors Recipients)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording (see list of Recording Personalites with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Sammy Kaye (born 1913, died 1987)
American bandleader.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television (see list of Television Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio (see list of Radio Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording (see list of Recording Personalites with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Sammy
- Played by Larry McCoy (see list of Character from Spike Lee's Malcolm X)