Holden 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

Holden Rank #281
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #281 for Holden.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Holden ___

  • Holden James
  • Holden Cole
  • Holden William
  • Holden Thomas
  • Holden Gray
  • Holden Reed

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 Holden

Hudson Parker Wren Sloane Sawyer

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 Holden or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Holden at #281 in the United States.

What do Holden and James mean?

Holden means "deep valley; hollow valley" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Holden and James boy or girl names?

Holden is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Holden Holden vs Maximiliano Holden vs Karter Holden vs Javier Holden vs River
← Full profile: Holden ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names