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Alex vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alex

Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Spanish Russian French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#205
Total SSA Count
1,722
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Alex Rank #205
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #205 for Alex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alex or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Alex at #205 in the United States.

What do Alex and James mean?

Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Alex and James boy or girl names?

Alex is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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