Houston vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Houston

Boy #704 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Hugh's settlement, town"

Origin: Old English via Scottish

Cultural Roots

American English Southern American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#704
Total SSA Count
381
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hous, H

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Houston →

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

Houston Rank #704
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #704 for Houston.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Houston ___

  • Houston James
  • Houston Lee
  • Houston Ray
  • Houston Wayne
  • Houston Dean
  • Houston Cole

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 Houston

Austin Dallas Savannah Georgia Montana

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 Houston or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Houston at #704 in the United States.

What do Houston and James mean?

Houston means "Hugh's settlement, town" (Old English via Scottish origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Houston and James boy or girl names?

Houston is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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