Boy vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Boy

Boy #4,506 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"young male, beloved son"

Origin: Filipino

Cultural Roots

Filipino Thai American Southeast Asian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,506
Total SSA Count
23
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Boy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Boy →

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

Boy Rank #4,506
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4506 for Boy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Boy ___

  • Boy Santos
  • Boy Cruz
  • Boy Manuel
  • Boy Jose
  • Boy Antonio
  • Boy Miguel

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 Boy

Baby Dong Totoy Ding Jun

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 Boy or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Boy at #4506 in the United States.

What do Boy and James mean?

Boy means "young male, beloved son" (Filipino origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Boy and James boy or girl names?

Boy is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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