Gus vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gus

Boy #1,216 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"great, venerable"

Origin: Latin (Augustus)

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,216
Total SSA Count
166
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Gus →

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

Gus Rank #1,216
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1216 for Gus.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gus ___

  • Gus William
  • Gus Henry
  • Gus Frederick
  • Gus James
  • Gus Elliott
  • Gus 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 Gus

Harriet Mabel Theodore Olive Archie

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 Gus or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gus at #1216 in the United States.

What do Gus and James mean?

Gus means "great, venerable" (Latin (Augustus) origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gus and James boy or girl names?

Gus is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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