Back to Baby Names

Nathan vs James

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

Nathan Rank #62
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #62 for Nathan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nathan or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Nathan at #62 in the United States.

What do Nathan and James mean?

Nathan means "he gave" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Nathan and James boy or girl names?

Nathan is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons