NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Samih

A masculine Arabic name meaning "forgiving" or "tolerant".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Samih is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Samih popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 7 births.

This profile covers 45 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 45 living people in the UK are called Samih. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Samih ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 7 boys were registered as Samih.
  • About 45 living people in the UK are estimated to have Samih as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4632

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

7 births

Estimated living

45

2026

Meaning

What does Samih mean?

The name Samih is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "samih" which means "sublime" or "lofty." It is believed to have originated in the Middle Eastern region during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD.

This name is closely associated with the Arabic language and Islamic culture, as it carries a spiritual and reverent connotation. It was likely given to individuals who embodied virtuous qualities or were held in high regard within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Samih can be found in the writings of renowned Arab poets and scholars from the 8th and 9th centuries. These literary works often celebrated the virtues of individuals bearing this name, attributing them with wisdom, integrity, and a deep connection to their faith.

Throughout Islamic history, several notable figures have borne the name Samih. One prominent example is Samih al-Dhari, an Iraqi politician and activist who played a significant role in the uprising against the British occupation of Iraq in the early 20th century. He was born in 1880 and became a symbol of resistance and national pride.

Another notable bearer of this name was Samih al-Qasim, a Palestinian poet and writer who lived from 1939 to 2014. He was widely celebrated for his powerful and evocative works that captured the struggles and aspirations of the Palestinian people. His poetry resonated deeply with readers across the Arab world.

In the realm of Islamic scholarship, Samih al-Kafarnawi (1907-1985) was a renowned Egyptian theologian and jurist. He made significant contributions to the study of Islamic law and served as the Grand Mufti of Egypt from 1966 to 1978.

The name Samih has also been carried by individuals in other fields, such as Samih Sawiris, an Egyptian businessman and billionaire who founded the Orascom conglomerate. Born in 1957, he is widely regarded as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the Middle East.

Another notable figure was Samih Darwazah (1892-1923), a Syrian historian and author who wrote extensively on the history of the Arab world and the Ottoman Empire. His works were influential in shaping the understanding of the region's rich cultural heritage.

These examples illustrate the enduring presence of the name Samih throughout various historical periods and across diverse domains, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and linguistic origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Samih over time

The chart below shows babies named Samih registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Samih, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Samih
02457199620052014

Decades

Samih by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Samih was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #3760 13 3
2000s #3359 29 7
1990s #2863 3 1

Related

Names similar to Samih

FAQ

Samih: questions and answers

How popular is the name Samih in the UK right now?

In 2014, Samih was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Samih most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 7 babies registered as Samih in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Samih?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "forgiving" or "tolerant".

How many people are called Samih in the UK?

A total of 45 babies have been registered as Samih across the 11 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.