Samba is a gender-neutral name of Portuguese origin that means "A Brazilian-African Dance." The name Samba is associated with the rhythmic variants of Brazilian music, particularly those that originated in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. It carries the rich cultural heritage of the Afro-Brazilian communities and is considered a significant symbol of Brazilian national identity. The term "samba" has evolved over time from designating a "popular dance" to a "music genre." It has deep roots in Brazilian folk traditions, and its modern structure as a musical genre began in the late 1920s in the neighborhood of Estácio, Rio de Janeiro. The genre faced criminalization and rejection due to its Afro-Brazilian origins and working-class roots but eventually gained support from various social classes and cultural elites, becoming a hallmark of Brazilian culture and a key feature of the Rio Carnival. Samba has also been recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.