Carey vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carey

Boy #5,332 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"dark, black"

Origin: Irish (ciar)

Cultural Roots

Irish Welsh American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,332
Total SSA Count
18
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Care

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carey →

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

Carey Rank #5,332
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5332 for Carey.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carey ___

  • Carey James
  • Carey Thomas
  • Carey Michael
  • Carey John
  • Carey Patrick
  • Carey Grant

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 Carey

Brennan Cillian Fiona Siobhan Quinn

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 Carey or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Carey at #5332 in the United States.

What do Carey and James mean?

Carey means "dark, black" (Irish (ciar) origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Carey and James boy or girl names?

Carey is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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