Kai vs Samuel

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Samuel

Boy #17 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"name of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Jewish Christian American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#17
Total SSA Count
8,310
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Samuel →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Samuel Rank #17

Samuel is more popular, ranked #17 vs #76 for Kai.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kai ___

  • Kai James
  • Kai Alexander
  • Kai Michael
  • Kai Robert
  • Kai William
  • Kai Thomas

Samuel ___

  • Samuel James
  • Samuel Thomas
  • Samuel Alexander
  • Samuel Joseph
  • Samuel Edward
  • Samuel Grey

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Samuel

Eleanor Hannah Nathan Rebecca Elijah

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 Kai or Samuel more popular?

Samuel is more popular, ranked #17 compared to Kai at #76 in the United States.

What do Kai and Samuel mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Samuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Kai and Samuel boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Samuel is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Kai ← Full profile: Samuel Browse all baby names