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James vs Michael

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

Michael

Boy #18 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"who resembles God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Irish Italian French Jewish Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#18
Total SSA Count
8,189
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Michael Rank #18

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #18 for Michael.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Michael more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Michael at #18 in the United States.

What do James and Michael mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Michael means "who resembles God" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Michael boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Michael is primarily a boy name.

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