Sami means “high, elevated”. It comes from Arabic. It is documented as a boy's name in Turkish, Uyghur and Azerbaijani and also used in Tatar.
- Sami is a name of Arabic and Turkic origin.
- It is recorded for Turkish, Uyghur, Azerbaijani and Tatar.
- 2 syllables (counted from the spelling) and 4 letters.
What does Sami mean?
Sami is a boy's name listed on Wiktionary as a given name in Azerbaijani. Wiktionary traces the name to Arabic سَامٍ (‘high, elevated’). That word means “high, elevated”.[1,3]
Sami in Turkish, Uyghur, Azerbaijani and Tatar
What does Sami mean in Turkish?
In Turkish the name is written Sami. No separate Turkish gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “high, elevated” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.[1,4]
What does Sami mean in Uyghur?
In Uyghur the name is written سامى and Sami (ULY transliteration). Here it is glossed as “great, lofty, exalted, excellent, superior”[3]. It is recorded as a boy's name.[3]
What does Sami mean in Azerbaijani?
In Azerbaijani the name is written Sami. No separate Azerbaijani gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “high, elevated” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.[1]
What does Sami mean in Tatar?
In Tatar the name is written Sami (common romanization). No separate Tatar gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “high, elevated” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.
Where does the name Sami come from?
Arabic, borrowing. The Dictionary of Uyghur Names gives the origin as Arabic.[3]✓ Documented
Ottoman Turkish and Arabic, borrowing. Inherited from Ottoman Turkish سامی (sâmî), itself borrowed from Arabic سَامٍ (sāmin, “high, elevated”).[1]✓ Documented
Arabic, borrowing. Wiktionary traces the name to Arabic سَامٍ (‘high, elevated’).[1]✓ Documented
How do you pronounce Sami?
In IPA: [sɑˈmi], as given in the cited dictionary entry.
Which languages use the name Sami?
Sami is used as a given name in Turkish, Uyghur, Azerbaijani and Tatar. Its origin is Arabic and Ottoman Turkish and Arabic. The table shows for each language whether the use is documented by a cited source or comes from our editorial research.
Sami across Turkic languages
| Language | Spelling | Gender | Meaning in this language | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish | SamiLatin | Boy | same as above: “high, elevated” | Documented[1,4] |
| Uyghur | سامىArabic script | Boy | “great, lofty, exalted, excellent, superior” | Documented[3] |
| Azerbaijani | SamiLatin | Boy | same as above: “high, elevated” | Documented[1] |
| Tatar | SamiLatin, romanized | Boy | same as above: “high, elevated” | Editorial |
Similar spellings in different languages do not prove a shared origin: two languages can arrive at the same sound from different words. The origin section above states what the sources say.
Spelling variations of Sami
Forms are shown as recorded, in their original script. Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled with their system and are not presented as attested spellings.
Names related to Sami
Variants and linked names
- SamiyəGirl“high, lofty”
Sibling names for Sami
Names recorded for the same languages that start with a different letter, so two children are not mixed up. Names that share a meaning theme or an element with Sami rank first. Siblings do not have to match; these are only ideas.
- ÖzerkinUnisex“free person”same language (turkish)
- “beg of the Qarluqs”same language (uyghur)
- NarimanBoy“brave-hearted”same language (tatar)
- RindanUnisex“carefree, humble ones; wandering dervishes”same language (turkish)
- JümekBoy“gathered; the day of assembly”same language (uyghur)
- VelideGirl“newborn girl; female servant”same language (turkish)
- NasiridinBoy“helper of the faith”same language (uyghur)
- OkşakUnisex“resemblance; resembling”same language (turkish)
Common questions about Sami
What does the name Sami mean?
Sami means “high, elevated”. It comes from Arabic. It is documented as a boy's name in Turkish, Uyghur and Azerbaijani and also used in Tatar.
Is Sami a girl's or a boy's name?
Sami is recorded as a boy's name. By language: Turkish: boys; Uyghur: boys; Azerbaijani: boys; Tatar: boys.
Where does Sami come from?
Sami is of Arabic and Ottoman Turkish and Arabic origin according to our origin records. Read the origin section above for the sources.
Which languages use Sami?
Sami is recorded for Turkish, Uyghur, Azerbaijani and Tatar. The table shows each language's spelling, gender and evidence label, and a language is listed only when our data records the name for it.
How is Sami spelled in other scripts?
Recorded spellings: Sami (Latin), سامى (Arabic script). Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled as such in the spelling table.
How many syllables does Sami have?
Sami has 2 syllables by our approximate count of vowel groups in the spelling, and 4 letters. Pronunciation can differ by language.
Sources
Numbers in the text point to these sources. The descriptions on this page are written by a fixed template filled only with the stored source facts; source texts are not copied.
- Wiktionary contributors. Wiktionary entry “Sami”. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 93609066. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: etymology states: Derived from Arabic سَامٍ (sāmin, “high, elevated”); classified as a male given name in the Azerbaijani section; IPA [sɑˈmi]; Turkish given-name entry (+5 more)
- Wiktionary contributors. Wiktionary entry “سام”. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 93008053. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: Arabic سَامٍ ‘high, lofty’
- Uyghur Language. Dictionary of Uyghur Names. Uyghur Language (GitHub: uyghur-language/names), revision 075ed994f116b4b9e06c7d013b4fb880db679883. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: MIT License.
Supports: entry in the Dictionary of Uyghur Names; Uyghur gloss: بۈيۈك، يۈكسەك، ئالىي، ئەلا، ئۈستۈن; listed as a Uyghur given name (masculine); origin: Arabic (+2 more)
- Wikidata contributors. Wikidata item Q19832245. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 2559431271. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC0 1.0.
Supports: Wikidata given-name item with Turkish label
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