Barak vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barak

Boy #5,297 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"lightning bolt, flash of light"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Jewish Israeli African

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,297
Total SSA Count
18
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Barry, Bar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Barak →

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

Barak Rank #5,297
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5297 for Barak.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barak ___

  • Barak Elijah
  • Barak David
  • Barak Samuel
  • Barak Aaron
  • Barak Noah
  • Barak Joseph

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 Barak

Elijah Gideon Miriam Deborah Joshua

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 Barak or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Barak at #5297 in the United States.

What do Barak and James mean?

Barak means "lightning bolt, flash of light" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Barak and James boy or girl names?

Barak is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Barak Barak vs Luiz Barak vs Zenon Barak vs Celestino Barak vs Rafferty
← Full profile: Barak ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names