Brendan 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

Brendan Rank #1,013
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1013 for Brendan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Brendan ___

  • Brendan James
  • Brendan Patrick
  • Brendan Michael
  • Brendan Thomas
  • Brendan John
  • Brendan Paul

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 Brendan

Siobhan Declan Caitlin Connor Fiona

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 Brendan or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Brendan at #1013 in the United States.

What do Brendan and James mean?

Brendan means "prince, chieftain" (Celtic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Brendan and James boy or girl names?

Brendan is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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