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James vs Alex

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

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

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Alex Rank #205

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Alex more popular?

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

What do James and Alex mean?

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

Are James and Alex boy or girl names?

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

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