Ethan 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

Ethan Rank #19
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #19 for Ethan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ethan ___

  • Ethan James
  • Ethan Cole
  • Ethan Thomas
  • Ethan Alexander
  • Ethan Grey
  • Ethan Joseph

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 Ethan

Emma Sophia Noah Olivia Lucas

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 Ethan or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ethan at #19 in the United States.

What do Ethan and James mean?

Ethan means "permanent, long-lived" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ethan and James boy or girl names?

Ethan is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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