Samuel vs Theodore

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

Samuel Rank #17
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #17 for Samuel.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Samuel ___

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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Samuel

Eleanor Hannah Nathan Rebecca Elijah

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Samuel or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Samuel at #17 in the United States.

What do Samuel and Theodore mean?

Samuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Samuel and Theodore boy or girl names?

Samuel is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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