Aedan vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Aedan

Boy #2,590 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little fire"

Origin: Old Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,590
Total SSA Count
52
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ade, A

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Aedan →

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

Aedan Rank #2,590
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2590 for Aedan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Aedan ___

  • Aedan James
  • Aedan Patrick
  • Aedan Finn
  • Aedan Connor
  • Aedan Sean
  • Aedan Ronan

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 Aedan

Cormac Cillian Riordan Niamh Saoirse

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 Aedan or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Aedan at #2590 in the United States.

What do Aedan and James mean?

Aedan means "little fire" (Old Irish origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Aedan and James boy or girl names?

Aedan is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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