Darek vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Darek

Boy #3,728 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"he who holds firm the good"

Origin: Old Persian

Cultural Roots

Polish Czech Slavic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,728
Total SSA Count
30
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dar, Daro

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Darek →

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

Darek Rank #3,728
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3728 for Darek.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Darek ___

  • Darek Jan
  • Darek Piotr
  • Darek Michael
  • Darek James
  • Darek Andrew
  • Darek Paul

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 Darek

Marek Tomasz Pawel Zofia Agata

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 Darek or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Darek at #3728 in the United States.

What do Darek and James mean?

Darek means "he who holds firm the good" (Old Persian origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Darek and James boy or girl names?

Darek is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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