Anson vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Anson

Boy #1,396 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"son of Anne, son of Agnes"

Origin: English patronymic

Cultural Roots

English American Chinese-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,396
Total SSA Count
134
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ans

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Anson →

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

Anson Rank #1,396
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1396 for Anson.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Anson ___

  • Anson James
  • Anson William
  • Anson Lee
  • Anson Thomas
  • Anson Gray
  • Anson Reid

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 Anson

Harrison Mason Anderson Lennon Avery

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 Anson or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Anson at #1396 in the United States.

What do Anson and James mean?

Anson means "son of Anne, son of Agnes" (English patronymic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Anson and James boy or girl names?

Anson is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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