James vs Jennings

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
Jennings Rank #1,956

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1956 for Jennings.

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

Jennings ___

  • Jennings Cole
  • Jennings James
  • Jennings Reid
  • Jennings Blake
  • Jennings Grant
  • Jennings Hayes

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jennings

Harrison Collins Avery Sutton Hadley

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 Jennings more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jennings at #1956 in the United States.

What do James and Jennings mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jennings means "son of Jen (John)" (English origin).

Are James and Jennings boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jennings is primarily a boy name.

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