James vs Kathy

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
Kathy Rank #2,694

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2694 for Kathy.

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

Kathy ___

  • Kathy Ann
  • Kathy Marie
  • Kathy Lynn
  • Kathy Jo
  • Kathy Lee
  • Kathy Sue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kathy

Debbie Sandy Linda Bobby Tommy

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 Kathy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kathy at #2694 in the United States.

What do James and Kathy mean?

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

Are James and Kathy boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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