Sam is a diminutive of Samuel, or Samantha. Samantha originates in Hebrew language and means "Lord has heard". It is a feminine form of Samuel, or so at least most sources suggest. Some sources claim, though, that the origin and meaning is unclear. In the English-speaking countries it has been used since the 18th century. It was popularized by the main character in the TV show Bewitched, Samantha Stephens, in the 1960s. More recently by Kim Cattrall's character Samantha Jones in the TV show Sex and the City.