James vs Johan

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
Johan Rank #537

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #537 for Johan.

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

Johan ___

  • Johan Erik
  • Johan Lars
  • Johan Sebastian
  • Johan William
  • Johan Alexander
  • Johan Felix

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Johan

Astrid Elsa Sven Ingrid Lars

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 Johan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Johan at #537 in the United States.

What do James and Johan mean?

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

Are James and Johan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Johan is primarily a boy name.

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