Lainey vs Samantha

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Lainey

Girl #38 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright, shining light"

Origin: English diminutive of Elaine from Greek Helene

Cultural Roots

English American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#38
Total SSA Count
5,147
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Lane

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lainey →

Popularity Comparison

Lainey Rank #38
Samantha Rank #127

Lainey is more popular, ranked #38 vs #127 for Samantha.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Lainey ___

  • Lainey Grace
  • Lainey Rose
  • Lainey Mae
  • Lainey Jo
  • Lainey Kate
  • Lainey Jane

Samantha ___

  • Samantha Grace
  • Samantha Rose
  • Samantha Jane
  • Samantha Marie
  • Samantha Lee
  • Samantha Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Lainey

Hallie Waverly Beau Gracie Brantley

If you choose Samantha

Jessica Amanda Matthew Christopher Brittany

Which Name Fits Your Family?

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1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lainey or Samantha more popular?

Lainey is more popular, ranked #38 compared to Samantha at #127 in the United States.

What do Lainey and Samantha mean?

Lainey means "bright, shining light" (English diminutive of Elaine from Greek Helene origin). Samantha means "told by God" (Hebrew origin).

Are Lainey and Samantha boy or girl names?

Lainey is primarily a girl name. Samantha is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Samantha vs Lainey Lainey vs Layla Lainey vs Nora Lainey vs Lucy Lainey vs Amara
← Full profile: Lainey ← Full profile: Samantha Browse all baby names