Banks vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Banks

Boy #367 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"one who lives near a riverbank"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#367
Total SSA Count
899
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ban, Bay, Baie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Banks →

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

Banks Rank #367
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #367 for Banks.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Banks ___

  • Banks Oliver
  • Banks James
  • Banks Henry
  • Banks Alexander
  • Banks William
  • Banks Thomas

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 Banks

Crew Sloane Lennox Palmer Scout

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 Banks or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Banks at #367 in the United States.

What do Banks and James mean?

Banks means "one who lives near a riverbank" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Banks and James boy or girl names?

Banks is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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