Samanta

Samanta is a variant spelling of Samantha, a name of disputed but widely accepted English origin, most likely coined in the American South during the eighteenth century, possibly as a feminine form of Samuel, itself from the Hebrew Shemu'el meaning heard by God or name of God. Some scholars have proposed influences from Aramaic or other Semitic roots, though no definitive etymology has been established. The name gained broad international popularity after the television series Bewitched in the 1960s, and Samanta is particularly favored as a spelling variant in Italian, Spanish, and Slavic-speaking regions. Related forms include Samantha, Samanta, and the diminutive Sam.