Definition of "Samantha"

These country girls, as they were called, had queer names, which added to the singularity of their appearance. Samantha, Triphena, Plumy, Leafy, Ruhamah, Lovey, and Florilla were among them.

1876, Phebe Ann Hanaford, Women of the Century, page 525

"Its name is Samantha Jo, after Josiah and me. - - - If it had been a boy, we was layin' out to call it Josiah Sam, - Sam for Samantha."

1888, Marietta Holley, Josiah Allen's Wife as a P.A. and P.I.: Samantha at the Centennial, page 577

"Middle of the depression - who's going to give a kid a nutty name like Samantha? Today's another matter, but around then, from what I hear, people weren't thinking about these stylish names."

1967, Howard Fast, Samantha, I Books, published 2004, page 42

But here's my favorite name: Samuel. It's from the Bible. If it's a girl, name it Samantha. That sounds like something in a prayer, doesn't it? I think it's a name in the Chronicles. I've been reading the Bible every night." - - -She found the Book of Chronicles and scanned it. - - - There was no Samantha in either the first or the second book of the Chronicles.

1985, Bobbie Ann Mason, In Country, Harper&Row, pages 182, 183