Brooks vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Brooks

Boy #67 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"one who lives near a brook"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#67
Total SSA Count
4,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Bro, Broo, Brooy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Brooks →

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

Brooks Rank #67
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #67 for Brooks.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Brooks ___

  • Brooks William
  • Brooks James
  • Brooks Alexander
  • Brooks Thomas
  • Brooks Henry
  • Brooks Edward

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 Brooks

Parker Quinn River Hadley Blake

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 Brooks or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Brooks at #67 in the United States.

What do Brooks and James mean?

Brooks means "one who lives near a brook" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Brooks and James boy or girl names?

Brooks is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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