James vs Jim

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 →

Jim

Boy #4,434 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who grabs the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,434
Total SSA Count
23
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Jimmy, Jimbo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jim →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jim Rank #4,434

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4434 for Jim.

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

Jim ___

  • Jim Robert
  • Jim David
  • Jim Edward
  • Jim Allen
  • Jim Thomas
  • Jim Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jim

Bob Tom Sue Carol Dave

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 Jim more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jim at #4434 in the United States.

What do James and Jim mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jim means "supplanter, one who grabs the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Jim boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jim is primarily a boy name.

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