Drake vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Drake

Boy #662 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"dragon"

Origin: Old English from Latin draco

Cultural Roots

English American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#662
Total SSA Count
414
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dra, Dry, Drie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Drake →

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

Drake Rank #662
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #662 for Drake.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Drake ___

  • Drake Alexander
  • Drake James
  • Drake William
  • Drake Michael
  • Drake Thomas
  • Drake Owen

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 Drake

Chase Blake Logan Stella Piper

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 Drake or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Drake at #662 in the United States.

What do Drake and James mean?

Drake means "dragon" (Old English from Latin draco origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Drake and James boy or girl names?

Drake is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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