James vs Kaiya

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 →

Kaiya

Girl #855 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, chaste"

Origin: Scandinavian (from Katherine)

Cultural Roots

American Scandinavian Japanese English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#855
Total SSA Count
314
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kai, Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kaiya →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kaiya Rank #855

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #855 for Kaiya.

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

Kaiya ___

  • Kaiya Rose
  • Kaiya Mae
  • Kaiya Jade
  • Kaiya Lynn
  • Kaiya Belle
  • Kaiya Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kaiya

Mia Aria Kai Nova Luna

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 Kaiya more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kaiya at #855 in the United States.

What do James and Kaiya mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kaiya means "pure, chaste" (Scandinavian (from Katherine) origin).

Are James and Kaiya boy or girl names?

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

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