Hermes vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Hermes Rank #3,980
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3980 for Hermes.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hermes ___

  • Hermes Apollo
  • Hermes Orion
  • Hermes Leo
  • Hermes Magnus
  • Hermes Felix

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 Hermes

Apollo Athena Artemis Daphne Orion

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 Hermes or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Hermes at #3980 in the United States.

What do Hermes and James mean?

Hermes means "messenger of the gods" (Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Hermes and James boy or girl names?

Hermes is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Hermes Hermes vs Bradlee Hermes vs Jaceion Hermes vs Valerio Hermes vs Sabir
← Full profile: Hermes ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names