Sam

Sam is a short form of Samuel, a Hebrew name derived from the elements Shemu'el, most commonly interpreted as meaning either God has heard or name of God. It has been used as an independent given name in English-speaking countries since at least the eighteenth century and is borne by both men and women, with the feminine use often as a short form of Samantha. The archetypal American figure Uncle Sam, a personification of the United States government dating to the early nineteenth century, has made the name strongly associated with American national identity. Related forms include Samuel, Samantha, and Samuela.