Anais vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Anais

Girl #854 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"grace, merciful"

Origin: Hebrew via Anna

Cultural Roots

French Spanish Catalan Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#854
Total SSA Count
315
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Ana, Annie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Anais →

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

Anais Rank #854
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #854 for Anais.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Anais ___

  • Anais Claire
  • Anais Marie
  • Anais Louise
  • Anais Elise
  • Anais Belle
  • Anais Vivienne

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 Anais

Celine Simone Juliette Isabelle Etienne

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 Anais or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Anais at #854 in the United States.

What do Anais and James mean?

Anais means "grace, merciful" (Hebrew via Anna origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Anais and James boy or girl names?

Anais is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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