Henry vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Henry

Boy #6 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"home ruler, estate ruler"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6
Total SSA Count
11,547
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Hank, Harry, Hal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Henry →

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

Henry Rank #6
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6 for Henry.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Henry ___

  • Henry James
  • Henry William
  • Henry Thomas
  • Henry Alexander
  • Henry John
  • Henry Oliver

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 Henry

Charlotte Eleanor Amelia Olivia Oliver

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 Henry or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Henry at #6 in the United States.

What do Henry and James mean?

Henry means "home ruler, estate ruler" (Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Henry and James boy or girl names?

Henry is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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