James vs Kathryn

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 →

Kathryn

Girl #716 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, clear"

Origin: Greek katharos

Cultural Roots

English American Irish Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#716
Total SSA Count
391
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Kate, Kathy, Kat

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kathryn →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kathryn Rank #716

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #716 for Kathryn.

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

Kathryn ___

  • Kathryn Anne
  • Kathryn Elizabeth
  • Kathryn Marie
  • Kathryn Louise
  • Kathryn Grace
  • Kathryn Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kathryn

Margaret Elizabeth William Thomas Eleanor

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 Kathryn more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kathryn at #716 in the United States.

What do James and Kathryn mean?

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

Are James and Kathryn boy or girl names?

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

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