Gordon vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gordon

Boy #1,090 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"great fort, spacious hill"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,090
Total SSA Count
199
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Gordie, Gordo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Gordon →

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

Gordon Rank #1,090
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1090 for Gordon.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gordon ___

  • Gordon James
  • Gordon Scott
  • Gordon Alexander
  • Gordon Andrew
  • Gordon Bruce
  • Gordon Keith

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 Gordon

Donald Alastair Fiona Hamish Moira

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 Gordon or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gordon at #1090 in the United States.

What do Gordon and James mean?

Gordon means "great fort, spacious hill" (Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gordon and James boy or girl names?

Gordon is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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