Dempsey vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dempsey

Boy #2,845 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"proud descendant, son of the proud one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,845
Total SSA Count
45
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Demp

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dempsey →

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.

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