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Although there are plenty of names I sorta like that I ignore because of a painful personal association, I wouldn't give up a name I had loved since I was 5, particularly one with a family connection, because of a mean girl from school. Of course, I say this from the perspective of one who left school a long time ago. In 20, 30, 40+ years, you won't care about Mean Samantha anymore, if you ever think about her at all. If you use Samantha for a daughter, she will be the only Samantha association that matters to you.

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If I were you, I'd steer clear of Lynnette. Not because of Mean Samantha, but rather because it's boring and dated. If you want to honor your friend, why not Samantha Haylee? Or mix'n'match letters and go with Samantha Leanne, Samantha Annalee, Samantha Leah, or Samantha Haya. You could probably make hundreds of names out of the elements Hay, Lee, Lynn, and Anna, especially if you use Anna's many variations.

Once you use a name for a new baby the "old" person with the name quickly is forgotten.

I also love the name Samantha, but I don't feel for myself that I could ever use the name of someone I extremely disliked. I would never ever consider using the name of my middle school bully, Laura. That's my two cents.

If you like the name, I hope you use it - together with any middle name of preference.

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I gather that you have a unfortunate association with not so much of a name you love but a particular person who also happens to use this name. I agree with Mirfak's first suggestion.

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I too have always love the name Samantha - and, I just so happen to have a few friends--and quite a few friendly acquaintances by this name, yet I've loved the name long before I met any of these kind folks.

This message was edited 11/15/2015, 7:05 PM

Attitude is everything. You could use it as a charm against encountering anyone ever again like bad Samantha, and clear the name's rep because everyone who recalled that person would forget her since her name had been taken away and given to someone more deserving. Someone new who everyone presently knows and likes. And then they will think of only new Samantha, when they hear the name Samantha. If you named a daughter Samantha, and someone tried to bring up bad Samantha, everyone would go: "What was that twit's name again? I forgot."

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Or you could call yourself unfortunate and decide that bad Samantha has ruined the name and you are powerless to fight it, in fact you still stalk her online to find out her middle name and she will always have this power in your life.

This message was edited 11/7/2015, 10:16 PM

People quickly change their minds about a name when there's a cute sweet baby with it. I think you could still use it if you love it.

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Maybe change the order. Lynette Samantha is nice too.

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Samantha only reminds me of the TV show Bewitched. :P

Funny, I had bad experiences with the name myself. Kind of an relief that I'm not the only one. I knew a girl in highschool with this name (total stuck up, snoty, snobby, high-aired popular type-FAKE as plastic. The real stereotype kind)
She had that annoying "You're-below-me" type additude to other students who didn't even do a single thing to her. I haven't seen her since and hope to god I don't ever. She easily tarnished the name for me and I'd be crazy to use the name after what I endured.

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If I were you, how about
Samantha as the middle name
Haylee\other spelling as the middle name
Halee Samantha
Annalyn ___
___Annalynn
Anna or Annie___
____Anna or Annie

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Other Sam names:
Samara
Samira
Samiya
There could be others but its all I can think of for the time being. hope all works out

This message was edited 11/7/2015, 7:28 PM

One of my friends is Samantha nn Sammy. Despite that, I've always thought the name itself was drab and somehow annoying. I'm not exactly sure why.

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I'd still say use it if you really like it.

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My favorite Sam names are probably Samira and Samara.