Dennis 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

Dennis Rank #708
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #708 for Dennis.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dennis ___

  • Dennis James
  • Dennis Michael
  • Dennis Paul
  • Dennis Lee
  • Dennis Ray
  • Dennis Alan

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 Dennis

Kevin Patrick Karen Sharon Gary

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 Dennis or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dennis at #708 in the United States.

What do Dennis and James mean?

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

Are Dennis and James boy or girl names?

Dennis is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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