James vs Kareem

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 →

Kareem

Boy #676 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"generous, noble, honorable"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic Muslim Egyptian Lebanese American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#676
Total SSA Count
403
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kari, Reem

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kareem →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kareem Rank #676

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #676 for Kareem.

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

Kareem ___

  • Kareem Hassan
  • Kareem Ali
  • Kareem Muhammad
  • Kareem Abdul
  • Kareem James
  • Kareem Malik

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kareem

Jamal Tariq Yasmine Nadia Omar

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 Kareem more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kareem at #676 in the United States.

What do James and Kareem mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kareem means "generous, noble, honorable" (Arabic origin).

Are James and Kareem boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kareem is primarily a boy name.

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