James vs Jeffrey

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 →

Jeffrey

Boy #521 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"pledge of peace"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#521
Total SSA Count
587
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jeff, Jeffy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jeffrey →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jeffrey Rank #521

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #521 for Jeffrey.

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

Jeffrey ___

  • Jeffrey James
  • Jeffrey Michael
  • Jeffrey Robert
  • Jeffrey Alan
  • Jeffrey Scott
  • Jeffrey Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jeffrey

Brian Kevin Craig Karen Lisa

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 Jeffrey more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jeffrey at #521 in the United States.

What do James and Jeffrey mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jeffrey means "pledge of peace" (Germanic origin).

Are James and Jeffrey boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jeffrey is primarily a boy name.

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