Betty vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Betty Rank #1,009
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1009 for Betty.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Betty ___

  • Betty Jean
  • Betty Mae
  • Betty Lou
  • Betty Ann
  • Betty Jo
  • Betty Rae

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 Betty

Archie Hank Mildred Dot Freddie

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 Betty or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Betty at #1009 in the United States.

What do Betty and James mean?

Betty means "God is my oath" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Betty and James boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

James vs Betty Betty vs Dania Betty vs Marcella Betty vs Linda Betty vs Icelynn
← Full profile: Betty ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names