Kenneth vs Samuel

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kenneth

Boy #284 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"handsome; fair one"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach)

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#284
Total SSA Count
1,186
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kenneth →

Popularity Comparison

Kenneth Rank #284
Samuel Rank #17

Samuel is more popular, ranked #17 vs #284 for Kenneth.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kenneth ___

  • Kenneth James
  • Kenneth Robert
  • Kenneth William
  • Kenneth Allen
  • Kenneth Dale
  • Kenneth Lee

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 Kenneth

Donald Gerald Patricia Barbara Dennis

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 Kenneth or Samuel more popular?

Samuel is more popular, ranked #17 compared to Kenneth at #284 in the United States.

What do Kenneth and Samuel mean?

Kenneth means "handsome; fair one" (Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach) origin). Samuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Kenneth and Samuel boy or girl names?

Kenneth is primarily a boy name. Samuel is primarily a boy name.

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