George vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

George

Boy #123 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"farmer, earthworker"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek German Russian Spanish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#123
Total SSA Count
2,890
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Georgie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for George →

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

George Rank #123
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #123 for George.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

George ___

  • George Henry
  • George William
  • George Edward
  • George Alexander
  • George Frederick
  • George Thomas

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 George

Charlotte Archie William Eleanor Arthur

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 George or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to George at #123 in the United States.

What do George and James mean?

George means "farmer, earthworker" (Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are George and James boy or girl names?

George is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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