Daniel vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Daniel

Boy #16 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"divine judge"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Spanish French German Jewish Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#16
Total SSA Count
8,391
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dan, Danny, Dani

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Daniel →

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

Daniel Rank #16
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #16 for Daniel.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Daniel ___

  • Daniel James
  • Daniel Patrick
  • Daniel Thomas
  • Daniel Michael
  • Daniel Joseph
  • Daniel Alexander

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 Daniel

Sophia Emily Nathan Rebecca Joshua

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 Daniel or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Daniel at #16 in the United States.

What do Daniel and James mean?

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

Are Daniel and James boy or girl names?

Daniel is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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