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Matthew vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Matthew

Boy #33 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God"

Origin: Hebrew Mattityahu from mattan and Yahweh

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English French Italian Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#33
Total SSA Count
7,078
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

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

Matthew Rank #33
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #33 for Matthew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matthew or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Matthew at #33 in the United States.

What do Matthew and James mean?

Matthew means "gift of God" (Hebrew Mattityahu from mattan and Yahweh origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Matthew and James boy or girl names?

Matthew is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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