Gates vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gates

Boy #3,229 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"dweller by the gates"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,229
Total SSA Count
37
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Gat, Gaie, Gatkins

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Gates →

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

Gates Rank #3,229
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3229 for Gates.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gates ___

  • Gates William
  • Gates Henry
  • Gates Thomas
  • Gates James
  • Gates Alexander
  • Gates Grant

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 Gates

Jobs Edison Tesla Darwin Newton

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 Gates or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gates at #3229 in the United States.

What do Gates and James mean?

Gates means "dweller by the gates" (English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gates and James boy or girl names?

Gates is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Gates Gates vs Alim Gates vs Kenzai Gates vs Gershon Gates vs Amai
← Full profile: Gates ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names