James vs Kaori

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 →

Kaori

Girl #2,351 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"sweet-smelling (香)"

Origin: Japanese

Cultural Roots

Japanese East Asian Western (anime culture)

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,351
Total SSA Count
78
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kao, Kao-chan

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kaori →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kaori Rank #2,351

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2351 for Kaori.

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

Kaori ___

  • Kaori Rose
  • Kaori Emi
  • Kaori Yuki
  • Kaori Marie
  • Kaori Belle
  • Kaori Lyn

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kaori

Yuki Hana Sora Riku Akira

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 Kaori more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kaori at #2351 in the United States.

What do James and Kaori mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kaori means "sweet-smelling (香)" (Japanese origin).

Are James and Kaori boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

Kaori vs James James vs Aiden James vs Eli James vs Jameson James vs Emilio
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Kaori Browse all baby names