Davis vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Davis Rank #646
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #646 for Davis.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Davis ___

  • Davis James
  • Davis Lee
  • Davis Gray
  • Davis Cole
  • Davis Scott
  • Davis Flynn

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 Davis

Harrison Fletcher Adelaide Emerson Waverly

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 Davis or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Davis at #646 in the United States.

What do Davis and James mean?

Davis means "son of David" (English/Welsh patronymic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Davis and James boy or girl names?

Davis is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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