Cody vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cody

Boy #289 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

American Irish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#289
Total SSA Count
1,161
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Codes

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cody →

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

Cody Rank #289
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #289 for Cody.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cody ___

  • Cody James
  • Cody Lee
  • Cody Ray
  • Cody Allen
  • Cody Wayne
  • Cody Scott

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 Cody

Brady Logan Trevor Casey Kylie

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 Cody or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cody at #289 in the United States.

What do Cody and James mean?

Cody means "helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cody and James boy or girl names?

Cody is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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