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James vs Nicholas

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
Nicholas Rank #117

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #117 for Nicholas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Nicholas more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Nicholas at #117 in the United States.

What do James and Nicholas mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Nicholas means "people's champion, victorious" (Greek origin).

Are James and Nicholas boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Nicholas is primarily a boy name.

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