Sam vs Saul

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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
Nicknames
Sammy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Saul

Boy #560 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"asked for, prayed for"

Origin: Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל)

Cultural Roots

Jewish English Spanish Christian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#560
Total SSA Count
529
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sol

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Saul →

Popularity Comparison

Sam Rank #652
Saul Rank #560

Saul is more popular, ranked #560 vs #652 for Sam.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Sam ___

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

Saul ___

  • Saul David
  • Saul Isaac
  • Saul Benjamin
  • Saul Eli
  • Saul James
  • Saul Aaron

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Sam

Jack Lucy Ella Tom Lily

If you choose Saul

Ezra Eli Ruth Miriam Levi

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 Sam or Saul more popular?

Saul is more popular, ranked #560 compared to Sam at #652 in the United States.

What do Sam and Saul mean?

Sam means "name of God" (Hebrew origin). Saul means "asked for, prayed for" (Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל) origin).

Are Sam and Saul boy or girl names?

Sam is primarily a boy name. Saul is primarily a boy name.

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