Dayton vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dayton

Boy #1,190 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright settlement, day town"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,190
Total SSA Count
173
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Day

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dayton →

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

Dayton Rank #1,190
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1190 for Dayton.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dayton ___

  • Dayton James
  • Dayton Lee
  • Dayton Cole
  • Dayton Reid
  • Dayton Alexander
  • Dayton Blake

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 Dayton

Payton Clayton Hudson Colton Layton

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 Dayton or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dayton at #1190 in the United States.

What do Dayton and James mean?

Dayton means "bright settlement, day town" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Dayton and James boy or girl names?

Dayton is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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