Adams 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
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

Adams Rank #3,243
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3243 for Adams.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Adams ___

  • Adams John
  • Adams Lee
  • Adams Grant
  • Adams Cole
  • Adams James
  • Adams Ray

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Adams

Brooks Hayes Lincoln Carter Emerson

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Adams or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Adams at #3243 in the United States.

What do Adams and James mean?

Adams means "son of Adam" (English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Adams and James boy or girl names?

Adams is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Adams ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names