Conner vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Conner

Boy #785 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"chief desire"

Origin: Old Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish American English Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#785
Total SSA Count
320
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Con

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Conner →

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

Conner Rank #785
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #785 for Conner.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Conner ___

  • Conner James
  • Conner Patrick
  • Conner Michael
  • Conner Ryan
  • Conner Sean
  • Conner Brendan

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 Conner

Aidan Declan Brigid Siobhan Keegan

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 Conner or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Conner at #785 in the United States.

What do Conner and James mean?

Conner means "chief desire" (Old Irish origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Conner and James boy or girl names?

Conner is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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