Dan vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dan

Boy #1,931 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"judge"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,931
Total SSA Count
82
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Danny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dan →

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

Dan Rank #1,931
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1931 for Dan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dan ___

  • Dan James
  • Dan Lee
  • Dan Allen
  • Dan Scott
  • Dan Wayne
  • Dan Michael

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 Dan

Tom Sam Ben Kate Anne

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 Dan or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dan at #1931 in the United States.

What do Dan and James mean?

Dan means "judge" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Dan and James boy or girl names?

Dan is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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