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Thomas 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

Thomas Rank #39
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #39 for Thomas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thomas or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Thomas at #39 in the United States.

What do Thomas and James mean?

Thomas means "Twin" (Aramaic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Thomas and James boy or girl names?

Thomas is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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