Guy vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Guy

Boy #1,562 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"forest"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French Norman

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,562
Total SSA Count
111
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Guy →

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

Guy Rank #1,562
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1562 for Guy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Guy ___

  • Guy James
  • Guy Thomas
  • Guy William
  • Guy Edward
  • Guy Michael
  • Guy Robert

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 Guy

Miles Rex Hugh Bess Nell

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 Guy or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Guy at #1562 in the United States.

What do Guy and James mean?

Guy means "forest" (Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Guy and James boy or girl names?

Guy is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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