Gavin vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gavin

Boy #254 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"white hawk of battle"

Origin: Welsh

Cultural Roots

Welsh Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#254
Total SSA Count
1,380
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Gav

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Gavin →

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

Gavin Rank #254
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #254 for Gavin.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gavin ___

  • Gavin James
  • Gavin Michael
  • Gavin Thomas
  • Gavin Lee
  • Gavin Scott
  • Gavin Alexander

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 Gavin

Liam Owen Nora Brynn Connor

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 Gavin or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gavin at #254 in the United States.

What do Gavin and James mean?

Gavin means "white hawk of battle" (Welsh origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gavin and James boy or girl names?

Gavin is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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