Alasdair vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alasdair

Boy #3,737 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek via Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish Gaelic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,737
Total SSA Count
30
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Al, Aly, Alec

Playground Safety Score

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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

Alasdair Rank #3,737
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3737 for Alasdair.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Alasdair ___

  • Alasdair James
  • Alasdair Iain
  • Alasdair Fergus
  • Alasdair Ross
  • Alasdair Duncan
  • Alasdair Grant

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 Alasdair

Hamish Callum Finlay Catriona Fiona

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 Alasdair or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Alasdair at #3737 in the United States.

What do Alasdair and James mean?

Alasdair means "defender of men" (Greek via Scottish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Alasdair and James boy or girl names?

Alasdair is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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