James vs Katelyn

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Katelyn Rank #934

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #934 for Katelyn.

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

Katelyn ___

  • Katelyn Marie
  • Katelyn Anne
  • Katelyn Grace
  • Katelyn Rose
  • Katelyn Elizabeth
  • Katelyn Nicole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Katelyn

Brittany Ashley Emily Tyler Ryan

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 Katelyn more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Katelyn at #934 in the United States.

What do James and Katelyn mean?

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

Are James and Katelyn boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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