Craig vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Craig

Boy #1,840 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"rocky cliff, crag"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (creag)

Cultural Roots

Scottish Welsh British American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,840
Total SSA Count
88
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cra, Cry, Crie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Craig →

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

Craig Rank #1,840
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1840 for Craig.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Craig ___

  • Craig James
  • Craig Lee
  • Craig Anthony
  • Craig Michael
  • Craig Thomas
  • Craig David

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 Craig

Scott Debra Kevin Donna Duncan

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 Craig or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Craig at #1840 in the United States.

What do Craig and James mean?

Craig means "rocky cliff, crag" (Scottish Gaelic (creag) origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Craig and James boy or girl names?

Craig is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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