Ester vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ester

Girl #1,509 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"star"

Origin: Hebrew/Persian

Cultural Roots

Jewish Spanish Scandinavian English Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,509
Total SSA Count
143
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Essie, Esta

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ester →

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

Ester Rank #1,509
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1509 for Ester.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ester ___

  • Ester Rose
  • Ester Marie
  • Ester Grace
  • Ester Anne
  • Ester Claire
  • Ester Louise

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 Ester

Naomi Ruth Hadassah Miriam Mordecai

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 Ester or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ester at #1509 in the United States.

What do Ester and James mean?

Ester means "star" (Hebrew/Persian origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ester and James boy or girl names?

Ester is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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