Darren vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Darren

Boy #955 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"oak grove, great"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish English American Welsh

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#955
Total SSA Count
238
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dar, Daz

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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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

Darren Rank #955
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #955 for Darren.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Darren ___

  • Darren James
  • Darren Michael
  • Darren Patrick
  • Darren Thomas
  • Darren Lee
  • Darren 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 Darren

Kevin Karen Deirdre Shane Brendan

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 Darren or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Darren at #955 in the United States.

What do Darren and James mean?

Darren means "oak grove, great" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Darren and James boy or girl names?

Darren is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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