James vs Kao

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 →

Kao

Boy #26,042 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"Rice; brightness"

Origin: Thai

Cultural Roots

Thai Laotian Southeast Asian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#26,042
Total SSA Count
5
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kao →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kao Rank #26,042

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #26042 for Kao.

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

Kao ___

  • Kao James
  • Kao Thai
  • Kao Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kao

Bao Lin Mei

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 Kao more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kao at #26042 in the United States.

What do James and Kao mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kao means "Rice; brightness" (Thai origin).

Are James and Kao boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kao is primarily a boy name.

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