James vs Jethro

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 →

Jethro

Boy #1,082 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"his excellence, his preeminence"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Christian British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,082
Total SSA Count
201
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jet, Jeth

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jethro →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jethro Rank #1,082

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1082 for Jethro.

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

Jethro ___

  • Jethro James
  • Jethro Lee
  • Jethro Cole
  • Jethro Blue
  • Jethro Reid
  • Jethro Grey

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jethro

Ezra Elijah Moses Miriam Ruth

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 Jethro more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jethro at #1082 in the United States.

What do James and Jethro mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jethro means "his excellence, his preeminence" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Jethro boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jethro is primarily a boy name.

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