Homer vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Homer

Boy #4,124 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledge, hostage"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,124
Total SSA Count
26
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Home, Hom

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Homer →

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

Homer Rank #4,124
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4124 for Homer.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Homer ___

  • Homer James
  • Homer Lee
  • Homer Dale
  • Homer Ray
  • Homer Dean
  • Homer Earl

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 Homer

Virgil Achilles Clio Odysseus Penelope

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 Homer or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Homer at #4124 in the United States.

What do Homer and James mean?

Homer means "pledge, hostage" (Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Homer and James boy or girl names?

Homer is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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