Burke vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Burke

Boy #3,235 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"from the fortress"

Origin: Old French 'borc'

Cultural Roots

Irish English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,235
Total SSA Count
37
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Bur, Buy, Buie

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Burke' rhymes with 'jerk'"}

Full profile for Burke →

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

Burke Rank #3,235
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3235 for Burke.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Burke ___

  • Burke Thomas
  • Burke William
  • Burke James
  • Burke Alexander
  • Burke Henry
  • Burke Michael

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 Burke

Quinn Reid Grant Sloane Bridget

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 Burke or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Burke at #3235 in the United States.

What do Burke and James mean?

Burke means "from the fortress" (Old French 'borc' origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Burke and James boy or girl names?

Burke is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Burke Burke vs Arlow Burke vs Bartholomew Burke vs Slate Burke vs Giacomo
← Full profile: Burke ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names