I don’t know anyone named [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], or [name_u]Sam[/name_u], for that matter. I know one [name_f]Samantha[/name_f]. I really like it, and it has the same classic, masculine feel as [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] (though together it makes me think of [name_u]Sam[/name_u] [name_m]Shepard[/name_m]). The more I think about it, the more I like it.
I know a few Sams and Samuels-and I adore the name and all the Sams I know! (Including [name_u]Sam[/name_u] my ragdoll cat)!
Thank you all for the responses! You have all made me feel so much better. I am glad so many people like [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]/[name_u]Sam[/name_u]. My worst fear is having an opportunity to name a child and picking a name that most people think is boring or overdone. Though I know it matters most what we think, I can’t help but want others to like it as well!
[name_u]Misha[/name_u] and Erin91- Funnily enough, I only know [name_f]Samantha[/name_f]'s as well, but it is 22 on the U.S top 100 list so someone has to have named their baby [name_m]Samuel[/name_m].
[name_u]Mischa[/name_u]- I think that’s what I am going to do. I am so close to letting him have this, but for our next child, especially if it’s a girl, I will get my choice for sure! 
mnmemily15 and hanbow- Yes, I have thought of [name_m]Samson[/name_m]. I do like it, but I know a dog named [name_m]Samson[/name_m], so I can’t rid myself of the association. Luckily, they call him [name_m]Samson[/name_m], not [name_u]Sam[/name_u]. haha
charlieandperry1- You are so right, it is absolutely the person and not the name that makes someone unique! I know this, but I can’t help hoping that my kid wont be one of 4 or 5 little [name_u]Sam[/name_u]'s in his class. Silly I know, but because there are sooo many cool names out there I just never thought I would name my child something popular.
tomaura226- I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] Samwise too. We are also big LOTR fans and Samwise is one of the reasons I like [name_u]Sam[/name_u]. He was just so friendly, loyal, brave and strong, all things that if I could pick, I would want my son to be! He is my favorite LOTR character! I don’t think I could talk Dh into Samwise, but it’s worth a shot! Thanks for the reminder!
Emilyva and watzman- Yes! If he gets his way, I will definitely be pushing for an adventurous middle! No doubt about it! [name_u]Sam[/name_u] [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] is an actor I believe, so that won’t really work. Plus I’m not the biggest fan of the alliteration.
caitypete- Thanks for the reassurance. The last thing I want is a trendy name. We are the furthest thing from trendy people.
Missmolly- Yes, yes, yes! You just completely articulated exactly how I’m feeling! I do feel like I have been robbed a bit of the process. Though I have tried to bring up different names, he won’t really even think about them. I am glad that I do actually like the name though. It would be a much tougher pill to swallow for me if I hated it. The only reason I am close to giving in, is that I do geuinely like the name. That and the prospect of having free reign on the next child, which of course will be an ironclad agreement before I agree to [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]! LOL
ella17- thanks for your input! Btw I love ragdoll’s! I just had to tell you.
Thanks again everyone! If anyone else has an opinion, Good or Bad, please chime in. The more input the better!
I love it! It’s so handsome and classic. [name_u]Sam[/name_u] seems so friendly and sweet, too.
Go for a more unusual middle name.
I absolutely adore [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. It would be at the very top of my list if it wasn’t terrible with our last name. Handsome, classic, strong without being “macho,” great nickname… I just love it. And I think I can count on one hand the number of Sams/Samuels I’ve met in my entire life, adults or children.
I used to babyseit a [name_u]Sam[/name_u]–sweetest, cutest, happiest child ever! I’d give him this one…pick a mn you like.
I love [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]! It is so adorable, and I love the nickname [name_u]Sam[/name_u] I’d say give him this one, but honestly, take the middle name, lol, or at least come up with combos with names you love and have him pick 
Good luck!
I really like [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. I don’t think it’s overused, although admittedly I’m not around kids a lot. I only know one person with a child named [name_u]Sam[/name_u]. My colleague’s 20-year-old son is named [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. They tried for over 10 years to have a baby and were told they would never be able to have children, and then she suddenly got pregnant in her 40s. It was such a miracle that they named him after the biblical [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. Their story just makes me like the name more.
I know a ton of Sams, more girls than boys. (like 5 of them that are aged 19-25) Two different friends from high school have kids aged 4 and 6, both named [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] ([name_u]Sam[/name_u]). I definitely roll my eyes to myself and think, really? another [name_u]Sam[/name_u]? But then again I like to be different and original and always have. My mom gave us beautiful unique names and it’s a big part of my strong character, [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
I don’t know what your last name sounds like, but [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] sounds like a great combo to me! [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] is a wonderful name and one of my favorite classics, and I love the idea of [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] as a middle.
I know one [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] ([name_u]Sam[/name_u]), and he is 26 years old, and two Samanthas, and they are 22 ([name_u]Sammie[/name_u]) and 13 ([name_u]Sam[/name_u]) years old. I do not know any babies or small children that go by [name_u]Sam[/name_u]. I work in a doctor’s office/urgent care clinic, and I see infants up to adult patients every day, and I can’t recall meeting many Sams or Samuels. It is a classic but not overused.
I know a few Sams/Samuels, but I still think it’s a great name. It’s classic, but not in the same slightly boring way as [name_u]James[/name_u] and [name_m]John[/name_m]; distinguished, but the nn [name_u]Sam[/name_u] makes it seem a lot more friendly. I actually prefer it to [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], which seems trendy to me, whereas [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] feels established and rooted in history.