Back to Baby Names

James vs Alexander

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

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Alexander Rank #27

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #27 for Alexander.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Alexander more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Alexander at #27 in the United States.

What do James and Alexander mean?

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

Are James and Alexander boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Alexander is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons