James vs Jeferson

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

James Rank #5
Jeferson Rank #5,655

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5655 for Jeferson.

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

Jeferson ___

  • Jeferson Lee
  • Jeferson James
  • Jeferson Michael
  • Jeferson David
  • Jeferson Anthony
  • Jeferson Luis

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jeferson

Madison Lincoln Monroe Jackson Kennedy

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 Jeferson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jeferson at #5655 in the United States.

What do James and Jeferson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jeferson means "son of Jeffrey, son of peace" (English origin).

Are James and Jeferson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jeferson is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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