The name Samaria has its origins in the ancient region of Samaria, located in the central part of the ancient Land of Israel. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "Shomron," which means "watch mountain" or "guard."

Samaria was one of the most important regions in ancient Israel and played a significant role in biblical history. The capital city of the northern Kingdom of Israel was located in Samaria, and the region is mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament. In the Book of Kings, Samaria is described as the place where the prophet Elijah performed many miracles and confronted the wicked King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Samaria can be found in the Book of Jeremiah, where the prophet laments the destruction of Samaria by the Assyrians in the 8th century BCE. The name also appears in the New Testament, where Jesus is said to have passed through Samaria during his travels.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Samaria. One of the most famous was Samaria the Asidian (c. 110 BCE), a Jewish rebel leader who fought against the Seleucid Empire in ancient Judea. Another was Samaria of Gaza (c. 300 CE), a Christian martyr who was executed for her faith during the Roman persecutions.

In the Middle Ages, Samaria of Arles (c. 1198-1268) was a French Benedictine abbess and mystic who wrote several influential works on spirituality. During the Renaissance, Samaria of Mantua (1440-1547) was an Italian Jewish scholar and poet who wrote extensively on Jewish philosophy and theology.

In more recent times, Samaria Rice (born 1977) is an American activist and the mother of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was tragically killed by police in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2014.