I prefer
Sam on its own, to be honest. I think it works fine, and I'm just not all that fond of
Samuel (which doesn't feel right on a lot of people). I know a kid who is always called
Sam, and I heard his full fn/ln said recently, and I was like, "
Samuel Dagan just doesn't sound as good as
Sam Dagan!" (Surname invented to recreate the feeling of the name.) Plus, I love me some
Sam Spade. So I'd prefer the jauntiness of just
Sam, but
Samuel is certainly respectable enough.
Samuel James is fine.
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