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James vs David

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

David

Boy #31 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, darling"

Origin: Hebrew Dawid from dod

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Spanish French Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#31
Total SSA Count
7,317
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
David Rank #31

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #31 for David.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or David more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to David at #31 in the United States.

What do James and David mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). David means "beloved, darling" (Hebrew Dawid from dod origin).

Are James and David boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. David is primarily a boy name.

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