Boy Names Lists · If You Like X, You'll Love...
Names like Samuel
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About this list
If you do love Samuel but would prefer something that ranked lower in the charts, here are a selection of alternatives you might want to consider, including a selection of Biblical choices and new ways to nickname Sam
The names
Eliam
Hebrew
"God is my nation"
Eliam is less common Biblical alternative to Liam, Elliott, Elias, and Eli, but maybe one that's faster-rising. Eliam joined the Top 1000 for the first time in 2021 and was sky-rocketed in 2024, when…
Solomon
Hebrew
"peace"
Solomon, a name that evokes wisdom and peace, is an Old Testament name that, along with other patriarchal classics, is finally beginning to shed its long white beard and step from the pages of the…
Uriel
Hebrew
"God is my light, God is my flame"
The name of the archangel in Rabbinic and Russian Orthodox tradition, Uriel is associated with truth, wisdom, and light. Also appearing in medieval literature, the name shares a similar meaning to…
Samson
Hebrew
"sun"
With the prevailing popularity of Samuel, some parents are considering this more (literally) powerful biblical name, which shares the desirable nickname of Sam. Samson was, of course, the…
Saul
Hebrew
"prayed for"
Jewish parents in particular may be drawn to this quiet, composed name of the first king of Israel and the name of Saint Paul before his conversion. In modern times, it has been associated with Nobel…
Emanuel
Spelling variation of Emmanuel, Hebrew
"God is with us"
Fewer letters does not always mean easier—the traditional spelling is the one most people will recognize.
Amias
Latin
"loved; friend"
Amias is a friendly and attractive sounding name, with a lovely meaning and knightly feel. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, similar as it is to Amos and Ozias, it is in fact a Latin name,…
Amos
Hebrew
"carried by God, load, burden"
Amos is a robust biblical name that's being discovered by a new generation of parents in a major way. Similar to other popular choices like Amias, Asa, Moses, and Thomas, it has a contemporary air…
Ambrose
Latin
"immortal"
Gentle but grandiose and beloved by British novelists including Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse, Ambrose was a fast rising name in 2022. Entering the UK Top 1000 for the first time and proving…
Abram
Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American…
Ephraim
Hebrew
"fruitful, fertile, productive"
Ephraim is an Old Testament name we would place high on the list of neglected Biblical possibilities, solid but not solemn. In Genesis, Ephraim is the second son of Joseph, and founder of one of the…
Samphire
English, French
"St. Peter's Herb"
A nature name, a word name, and an sea-inspired option, this as yet undiscovered name might just fit in with the likes of Samuel, Saint, and Sage. Used to describe a plant that grows near the sea,…
Sasha
Russian diminutive of Alexander
"defending men"
The energetic Russian nickname name Sasha is being used increasingly on its own, though since the prominence of the First Daughter, more than 90% of the American babies named Sasha are girls. Sacha…
Samai
Thai
"time, age, era"
Derived from the Sanskrit samayah , Samai is a sharp and bright Thai name with the powerful and expansive meaning of "time, era", though it has also been linked to the Arabic sama meaning "sky,…
Samwise
Variant of Samuel
Samwise Gamgee is the name of Frodo's most loyal companion in Lord of the Rings , played by Sean Astin in Peter Jackson's movie adaptations. Like the related Samwell from Game of Thrones , it could…
Sambrooke
English
"sandy stream, sandy brook"
Classic Samuel meets stylish Brooks in this distinctive surname-style choice, which might also appeal to fans of Samwise, Hawthorne, and Elwood. Derived from the Old English Semebre , it refers to…
Sandy
Scottish and English diminutive of Alexander
"defending men"
A sweet Scottish short form of Alexander which is feeling newly appealing now the era of Sandra is far behind us. Sandy would also work well as a nickname for a child with pale red or dark blond hair.
Samwell
Variant of Samuel
George R.R. Martin named lovable Game of Thrones character Samwell Tarly, Jon Snow's closest friend in the Night's Watch, after Samwise Gamgee, Frodo's companion in The Lord of the Rings . Both…
Sanders
Scottish diminutive of Alexander
"defending men"
Sanders is one of the S-ending surnames gaining traction as a first name for boys in the US. It jumped nearly 2000 points in popularity this year.
Ransom
English
"shield's son"
Ransom may be rakish and handsome, but it carries an unavoidable association with holding someone for ransom. But that kind of bad boy image might be exactly what attracts you to Ransom in the first…