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Erik vs Sam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Erik

Boy #477 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"eternal ruler, ever powerful"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian German American Dutch Finnish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#477
Total SSA Count
644
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Sam

Boy #652 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"name of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Hebrew Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#652
Total SSA Count
423
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Erik Rank #477
Sam Rank #652

Erik is more popular, ranked #477 vs #652 for Sam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Erik or Sam more popular?

Erik is more popular, ranked #477 compared to Sam at #652 in the United States.

What do Erik and Sam mean?

Erik means "eternal ruler, ever powerful" (Old Norse origin). Sam means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Erik and Sam boy or girl names?

Erik is primarily a boy name. Sam is primarily a boy name.

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