James vs Jan

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 →

Jan

Boy #2,213 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew (via Latin Johannes)

Cultural Roots

Dutch Polish Czech Scandinavian German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,213
Total SSA Count
65
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Janny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jan →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jan Rank #2,213

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2213 for Jan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Jan ___

  • Jan Pieter
  • Jan Henrik
  • Jan Willem
  • Jan Erik
  • Jan Michael
  • Jan Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jan

Piet Lena Hans Marta Erik

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 James or Jan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jan at #2213 in the United States.

What do James and Jan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jan means "God is gracious" (Hebrew (via Latin Johannes) origin).

Are James and Jan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jan is primarily a boy name.

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