Dempsey 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

Dempsey Rank #2,845
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2845 for Dempsey.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dempsey ___

  • Dempsey James
  • Dempsey Patrick
  • Dempsey Flynn
  • Dempsey Sean
  • Dempsey Cole
  • Dempsey Reid

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 Dempsey

Finnegan Callahan Brennan Clancy Tierney

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 Dempsey or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dempsey at #2845 in the United States.

What do Dempsey and James mean?

Dempsey means "proud descendant, son of the proud one" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Dempsey and James boy or girl names?

Dempsey is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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