James vs Josh

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
Josh Rank #1,742

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1742 for Josh.

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

Josh ___

  • Josh Michael
  • Josh Thomas
  • Josh Alexander
  • Josh Daniel
  • Josh James
  • Josh Ryan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Josh

Jake Emma Caleb Hannah Ethan

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 Josh more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Josh at #1742 in the United States.

What do James and Josh mean?

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

Are James and Josh boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Josh is primarily a boy name.

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