Sambo
A boy's name with 39 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A black person, especially one who is accommodating or servile towards whites; an Uncle Tom.
Sambo is a boy's baby name of Unknown origin used in parts of West Africa and Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, as a given name with its own cultural meaning entirely separate from its controversial history in American English.
In the United States, the name has been given almost exclusively within immigrant communities where it carries no pejorative connotation. Parents considering this name in an American context should be aware of its complex reception in English-speaking culture.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Sambo is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1918–1986). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
With 39 total births, Sambo exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sambo has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 | #6858 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 6 | #3617 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 12 | #4333 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 10 | #4699 | — |
The Story of Sambo
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Sambo is a name steeped in history. Boys named Sambo are most likely born between 1918 and 1934.
How rare is Sambo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sambo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, peaked in the 1920s with 12 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 1918–1986)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 6 | #6586 |
| 1984 | 5 | #7129 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3617 |
| 1924 | 7 | #3803 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4862 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4695 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4702 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sambo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sambo most popular?
How popular is the name Sambo?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1986