James vs Kate

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 →

Kate

Girl #535 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pure, clear"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Irish British Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#535
Total SSA Count
569
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Katie, Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kate →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kate Rank #535

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #535 for Kate.

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

Kate ___

  • Kate Elizabeth
  • Kate Louise
  • Kate Amelia
  • Kate Rose
  • Kate Alexandra
  • Kate Anne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kate

William Henry Emma Charlotte George

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 Kate more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kate at #535 in the United States.

What do James and Kate mean?

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

Are James and Kate boy or girl names?

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

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