James vs Johannes

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
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Johannes

Boy #3,065 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

German Dutch Scandinavian Estonian South African

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,065
Total SSA Count
40
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Johan, Hans, Jo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Johannes →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Johannes Rank #3,065

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3065 for Johannes.

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

Johannes ___

  • Johannes Friedrich
  • Johannes Wilhelm
  • Johannes Christoph
  • Johannes Ernst
  • Johannes Heinrich
  • Johannes Karl

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Johannes

Maria Anna Friedrich Heinrich Clara

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 Johannes more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Johannes at #3065 in the United States.

What do James and Johannes mean?

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

Are James and Johannes boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Johannes is primarily a boy name.

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