James vs Kalei

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 →

Kalei

Girl #5,274 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"the beloved one"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian American Pacific Islander

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,274
Total SSA Count
25
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kale, Kai

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kalei →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kalei Rank #5,274

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5274 for Kalei.

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

Kalei ___

  • Kalei Rose
  • Kalei Anne
  • Kalei Jade
  • Kalei Dawn
  • Kalei Rae
  • Kalei Mae

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kalei

Kai Leilani Keanu Malia Makoa

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 Kalei more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kalei at #5274 in the United States.

What do James and Kalei mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kalei means "the beloved one" (Hawaiian origin).

Are James and Kalei boy or girl names?

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

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