Denis vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Denis

Boy #1,643 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"follower of Dionysus, god of wine"

Origin: Greek Dionysios

Cultural Roots

French Russian Eastern European Spanish-speaking Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,643
Total SSA Count
103
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Den, Deni, Denny

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

Denis Rank #1,643
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1643 for Denis.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Denis ___

  • Denis Philippe
  • Denis Marc
  • Denis Patrick
  • Denis Pierre
  • Denis Antoine
  • Denis Julien

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 Denis

Nicolas Laurent Sophie Chloe Fabien

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 Denis or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Denis at #1643 in the United States.

What do Denis and James mean?

Denis means "follower of Dionysus, god of wine" (Greek Dionysios origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Denis and James boy or girl names?

Denis is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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