James vs Jess

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
Jess Rank #4,646

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4646 for Jess.

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

Jess ___

  • Jess Alexander
  • Jess Michael
  • Jess William
  • Jess Thomas
  • Jess James
  • Jess Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jess

Sam Dale Cole Bree Drew

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 Jess more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jess at #4646 in the United States.

What do James and Jess mean?

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

Are James and Jess boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jess is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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