Find out how popular the first name Xamara has been for the last 16 years (from 2008 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Xamara by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Xamara is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Xamara.

The history of the first name Xamara

The name Xamara has its origins rooted in ancient Sumerian culture, one of the earliest known civilizations in Mesopotamia, dating back to around 3500 BC. It is believed to be derived from the proto-Sumerian word "xamar," which translates to "radiant" or "shining." This name was likely chosen to honor deities associated with the sun or celestial bodies revered by the Sumerians.

In the third millennium BC, the name Xamara appeared in cuneiform inscriptions found on clay tablets and cylinder seals, indicating its usage among the Sumerian elite and ruling classes. One notable example is a record from the city of Uruk, which mentions a high priestess named Xamara who served in the temple of the goddess Inanna, the Sumerian deity of love, beauty, and fertility.

As Sumerian culture and language influenced neighboring regions, the name Xamara spread to other ancient civilizations in the Fertile Crescent. In the second millennium BC, it was adopted by the Akkadian Empire, where it was transliterated as "Shamar" and bestowed upon several members of the royal family, including Princess Shamar, the daughter of King Sargon the Great (c. 2334-2279 BC).

During the first millennium BC, the name Xamara gained prominence in ancient Persia, where it was associated with the Zoroastrian faith. One notable figure was Xamara, a high-ranking priestess of the fire temple in Persepolis during the reign of Darius the Great (550-486 BC), renowned for her wisdom and spiritual teachings.

In the early centuries AD, the name Xamara appeared in the annals of the Parthian Empire, where it was borne by several noblewomen, including Xamara, the wife of King Vologases V (c. 191-208 AD), who was praised for her diplomatic skills and patronage of the arts.

Another significant figure was Xamara, a renowned scholar and poet from the city of Ctesiphon during the Sasanian Empire (224-651 AD). Her works, though largely lost to time, were celebrated for their metaphysical insights and elegant use of language.

In the seventh century AD, the name Xamara was adopted by the Arab world, where it was Arabized as "Samira." One notable bearer was Samira bint Amr (c. 630-690 AD), a respected female companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a scholar of Islamic jurisprudence.

Throughout history, the name Xamara has been borne by numerous individuals, including Xamara, a Byzantine princess and daughter of Emperor Theophilos (829-842 AD), who was renowned for her philanthropic efforts and support of the arts and sciences.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Xamara was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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