James vs Kari

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 →

Kari

Girl #1,842 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure"

Origin: Greek via Norse

Cultural Roots

Norwegian Swedish Finnish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,842
Total SSA Count
109
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kare

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kari →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kari Rank #1,842

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1842 for Kari.

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

Kari ___

  • Kari Ann
  • Kari Lynn
  • Kari Marie
  • Kari Grace
  • Kari Elizabeth
  • Kari Jean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kari

Erik Lars Astrid Ingrid Bjorn

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 Kari more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kari at #1842 in the United States.

What do James and Kari mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kari means "pure" (Greek via Norse origin).

Are James and Kari boy or girl names?

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

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