Cathy vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Cathy Rank #6,151
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6151 for Cathy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cathy ___

  • Cathy Ann
  • Cathy Marie
  • Cathy Jane
  • Cathy Louise
  • Cathy Lynn

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 Cathy

Patty Judy Linda Bobby Danny

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 Cathy or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cathy at #6151 in the United States.

What do Cathy and James mean?

Cathy means "pure" (Greek katharos origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cathy and James boy or girl names?

Cathy is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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