Colten 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

Colten Rank #899
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #899 for Colten.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Colten ___

  • Colten James
  • Colten Ray
  • Colten Lee
  • Colten Thomas
  • Colten Dean
  • Colten Wade

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 Colten

Mason Wyatt Beau Scarlett Hadley

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 Colten or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Colten at #899 in the United States.

What do Colten and James mean?

Colten means "dark settlement" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Colten and James boy or girl names?

Colten is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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