James vs Janis

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 →

Janis

Girl #10,282 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Latvian Lithuanian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#10,282
Total SSA Count
11
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jan, Jani

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Janis →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Janis Rank #10,282

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #10282 for Janis.

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

Janis ___

  • Janis Lynn
  • Janis Marie
  • Janis Elaine
  • Janis Kay
  • Janis Ann

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Janis

Linda Carol Sandra Dennis Gary

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 Janis more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Janis at #10282 in the United States.

What do James and Janis mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Janis means "God is gracious" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Janis boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Janis is primarily a girl name.

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