James vs Kamau

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
Kamau Rank #7,668

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #7668 for Kamau.

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

Kamau ___

No pairings available yet.

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kamau

No sibling data available yet.

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 Kamau more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kamau at #7668 in the United States.

What do James and Kamau mean?

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

Are James and Kamau boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kamau is primarily a boy name.

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