Duke vs Sam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Duke

Boy #710 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"leader, military commander"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

American English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#710
Total SSA Count
375
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Duke →

Popularity Comparison

Duke Rank #710
Sam Rank #652

Sam is more popular, ranked #652 vs #710 for Duke.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Duke ___

  • Duke James
  • Duke William
  • Duke Henry
  • Duke Thomas
  • Duke Lee
  • Duke Allen

Sam ___

  • Sam James
  • Sam Lee
  • Sam Alexander
  • Sam William
  • Sam Cole
  • Sam David

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Duke

Earl Rex Beau Chase Baron

If you choose Sam

Jack Lucy Ella Tom Lily

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duke or Sam more popular?

Sam is more popular, ranked #652 compared to Duke at #710 in the United States.

What do Duke and Sam mean?

Duke means "leader, military commander" (Latin origin). Sam means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Duke and Sam boy or girl names?

Duke is primarily a boy name. Sam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Duke ← Full profile: Sam Browse all baby names