Boy name
Samih name meaning
“generous; open-handed and forbearing”
Samih means generous, open-handed and forbearing. It comes from Arabic samīḥ, an adjective expressing generosity and a tolerant approach. In Türkiye, it is a masculine given name. The poet and translator Samih Rifat provides a concrete literary association, connecting the name with cultural work spanning the late Ottoman and early republican periods.
What does Samih mean?
Generous; open-handed and forbearing
In Turkish: eli açık; cömert ve hoşgörülü
Samih brings together generosity and a willingness to show understanding. It is closely related to the Turkish spelling Semih, which can be explained through the same Arabic source. The suggested meaning ‘high, exalted’ appears to confuse it with a different Arabic name.
Origin of the name Samih
It comes from Arabic samīḥ, a word associated with generosity, open-handedness and forbearance.
Double names with Samih
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Samih Şiyar
Meaning of each name
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
- Şiyar: awake, aware, alert
-
Daniş Samih
Meaning of each name
- Daniş: knowledge, understanding, and learning
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
-
Samih Karan
Meaning of each name
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
- Karan: Ear
-
Halet Samih
Meaning of each name
- Halet: a state or condition; a mood
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
-
Samih Tanju
Meaning of each name
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
- Tanju: a historical title of Xiongnu rulers
-
Recai Samih
Meaning of each name
- Recai: relating to hope or supplication
- Samih: generous; open-handed and forbearing
How to pronounce Samih
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /samih/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | سميح |
Is Samih a boy’s name?
Yes, Samih is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Samih does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 11 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Şamih
Names that sound like Samih
- Salih♂Good, virtuous, righteous
- Semih♂Generous, open-handed and tolerant
- Sami♂Exalted, elevated
- Samim♂İnner essence
- Sabih♂Handsome
- Samir♂Evening conversationalist
- Samin♂Precious and valuable
- Sanih♂Occurring to the mind
- Samet♂Self-sufficient
- Sait♂Happy, fortunate
- Salim♂Healthy, safe, unharmed
- Sadi♂Associated with happiness and good fortune
Names with related meanings
- Kerem♂Generosity, magnanimity, kindness
- Enes♂Companionship, friendliness, familiarity
- Kayra♂Favor and grace
- Salih♂Good, virtuous, righteous
- Ensar♂Helpers, supporters
- Kerim♂Generous
- Semih♂Generous, open-handed and tolerant
- Ekrem♂Most generous
- İhsan♂Doing good
- Haluk♂Good-natured
- Necdet♂Bravery, valour
- Hilmi♂Relating to forbearance and gentleness
Famous people named Samih
- Samih Rıfat · b. 1875
- Samih Fethi Bey · b. 1885
- Samih İnal · b. 1912
- Samih Nafiz Tansu · b. 1906
- Samih Rıfat · b. 1945
- Samih Hasan Samih Tiryakioğlu · b. 1909
FAQ about the name Samih
What is the meaning of Samih?
Samih means “generous; open-handed and forbearing”. It comes from Arabic samīḥ, a word associated with generosity, open-handedness and forbearance.
Is Samih a boy’s name?
Yes, Samih is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Samih in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Samih nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Samih?
Samih is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Samih have?
Samih has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Samih?
Samih does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 11 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What are other spellings of Samih?
Other spellings: Şamih.
What names go well with Samih?
Some ideas: Samih Şiyar; Daniş Samih; Samih Karan.
Famous people named Samih?
Notable people named Samih include Samih Rıfat, Samih Fethi Bey, Samih İnal.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm01581 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake