James vs Kairi

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 →

Kairi

Girl #1,031 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"sea, ocean"

Origin: Japanese

Cultural Roots

Japanese American Gaming/Pop culture

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,031
Total SSA Count
244
Syllables
3
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kai

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kairi →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kairi Rank #1,031

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1031 for Kairi.

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

Kairi ___

  • Kairi Rose
  • Kairi Lynn
  • Kairi Grace
  • Kairi Ann
  • Kairi Marie
  • Kairi Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kairi

Sora Riku Nami Yuki Hana

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 Kairi more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kairi at #1031 in the United States.

What do James and Kairi mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kairi means "sea, ocean" (Japanese origin).

Are James and Kairi boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kairi is primarily a girl name.

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