James vs Jimmy

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 →

Jimmy

Boy #860 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows"

Origin: Hebrew via James/Jacob

Cultural Roots

English American Irish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#860
Total SSA Count
282
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Jim

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jimmy →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jimmy Rank #860

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #860 for Jimmy.

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

Jimmy ___

  • Jimmy Dean
  • Jimmy Ray
  • Jimmy Lee
  • Jimmy Jack
  • Jimmy Dale
  • Jimmy Wayne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jimmy

Bobby Billy Tommy Ricky Peggy

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 Jimmy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jimmy at #860 in the United States.

What do James and Jimmy mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jimmy means "supplanter, one who follows" (Hebrew via James/Jacob origin).

Are James and Jimmy boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jimmy is primarily a boy name.

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