James vs Johnson

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 →

Johnson

Boy #3,553 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"son of John"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,553
Total SSA Count
32
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Johnny, J.J., John

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Johnson →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Johnson Rank #3,553

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3553 for Johnson.

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

Johnson ___

  • Johnson Lee
  • Johnson James
  • Johnson Wayne
  • Johnson Ray
  • Johnson Michael
  • Johnson Dean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Johnson

Jackson Harrison Mason Madison Emerson

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 Johnson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Johnson at #3553 in the United States.

What do James and Johnson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Johnson means "son of John" (English origin).

Are James and Johnson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Johnson is primarily a boy name.

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