Gregory vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gregory

Boy #538 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"watchful, vigilant, alert"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#538
Total SSA Count
553
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Greg

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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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

Gregory Rank #538
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #538 for Gregory.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gregory ___

  • Gregory James
  • Gregory Thomas
  • Gregory Michael
  • Gregory William
  • Gregory Alexander
  • Gregory Paul

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 Gregory

Catherine Elizabeth Margaret Thomas Nicholas

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 Gregory or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gregory at #538 in the United States.

What do Gregory and James mean?

Gregory means "watchful, vigilant, alert" (Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gregory and James boy or girl names?

Gregory is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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