Back to Baby Names

James vs Dawson

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
Dawson Rank #139

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #139 for Dawson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Dawson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dawson at #139 in the United States.

What do James and Dawson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Dawson means "son of David" (English origin).

Are James and Dawson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Dawson is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons