James vs Kaj

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 →

Kaj

Boy #6,083 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"to rejoice"

Origin: Latin (Caius/Gaius)

Cultural Roots

Danish Swedish Norwegian German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,083
Total SSA Count
15
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kaj →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kaj Rank #6,083

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6083 for Kaj.

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

Kaj ___

  • Kaj Erik
  • Kaj Lars
  • Kaj Wilhelm
  • Kaj Gustav
  • Kaj Magnus
  • Kaj Nils

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kaj

Signe Astrid Leif Bjorn Sigrid

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 Kaj more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kaj at #6083 in the United States.

What do James and Kaj mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kaj means "to rejoice" (Latin (Caius/Gaius) origin).

Are James and Kaj boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kaj is primarily a boy name.

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