Dalton vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dalton

Boy #433 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from the valley town"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#433
Total SSA Count
729
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dalton →

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

Dalton Rank #433
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #433 for Dalton.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dalton ___

  • Dalton James
  • Dalton Lee
  • Dalton Ray
  • Dalton Thomas
  • Dalton Wayne
  • Dalton 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 Dalton

Colton Clayton Payton Savannah Brooklyn

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 Dalton or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dalton at #433 in the United States.

What do Dalton and James mean?

Dalton means "from the valley town" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Dalton and James boy or girl names?

Dalton is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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