Brenton vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Brenton

Boy #1,959 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"settlement near the sword hill"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,959
Total SSA Count
80
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Brent, Bren

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Brenton →

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

Brenton Rank #1,959
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1959 for Brenton.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Brenton ___

  • Brenton James
  • Brenton Thomas
  • Brenton Michael
  • Brenton Lee
  • Brenton Scott
  • Brenton 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 Brenton

Ashton Dalton Payton Shelby Reagan

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 Brenton or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Brenton at #1959 in the United States.

What do Brenton and James mean?

Brenton means "settlement near the sword hill" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Brenton and James boy or girl names?

Brenton is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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