Cai vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cai

Boy #1,906 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"rejoice, delight"

Origin: Latin via Welsh

Cultural Roots

Welsh Chinese English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,906
Total SSA Count
83
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cai →

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

Cai Rank #1,906
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1906 for Cai.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cai ___

  • Cai James
  • Cai River
  • Cai Alexander
  • Cai Thomas
  • Cai Owen
  • Cai Finn

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 Cai

Nia Rhys Lena Beau Seren

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 Cai or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cai at #1906 in the United States.

What do Cai and James mean?

Cai means "rejoice, delight" (Latin via Welsh origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cai and James boy or girl names?

Cai is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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