Hector vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Hector

Boy #381 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"to hold fast, to restrain"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek Spanish Latin American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#381
Total SSA Count
858
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hec

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Hector →

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

Hector Rank #381
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #381 for Hector.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hector ___

  • Hector James
  • Hector Luis
  • Hector Miguel
  • Hector Ramon
  • Hector Antonio
  • Hector Eduardo

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 Hector

Carlos Diego Marco Lucia Valentina

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 Hector or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Hector at #381 in the United States.

What do Hector and James mean?

Hector means "to hold fast, to restrain" (Ancient Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Hector and James boy or girl names?

Hector is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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