Emmett vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Emmett

Boy #119 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"truth, from Hebrew Emmet meaning truth or faithfulness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#119
Total SSA Count
3,001
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emmett →

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

Emmett Rank #119
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #119 for Emmett.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emmett ___

  • Emmett James
  • Emmett Cole
  • Emmett Ray
  • Emmett John
  • Emmett Gray
  • Emmett Lee

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 Emmett

Archer Evelyn Hazel Finn Clara

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 Emmett or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Emmett at #119 in the United States.

What do Emmett and James mean?

Emmett means "truth, from Hebrew Emmet meaning truth or faithfulness" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Emmett and James boy or girl names?

Emmett is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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