James vs Jefferson

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 →

Jefferson

Boy #711 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace"

Origin: Old English via Germanic

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#711
Total SSA Count
374
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jeff, Jef, Sonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jefferson →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jefferson Rank #711

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #711 for Jefferson.

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

Jefferson ___

  • Jefferson James
  • Jefferson Lee
  • Jefferson Davis
  • Jefferson Grant
  • Jefferson Cole
  • Jefferson Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jefferson

Lincoln Madison Harrison Monroe Hamilton

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 Jefferson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jefferson at #711 in the United States.

What do James and Jefferson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jefferson means "son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace" (Old English via Germanic origin).

Are James and Jefferson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jefferson is primarily a boy name.

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