James vs Keanu

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 →

Keanu

Boy #634 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"cool breeze over the mountains"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian American Polynesian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#634
Total SSA Count
442
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kea, K

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Keanu →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Keanu Rank #634

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #634 for Keanu.

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

Keanu ___

  • Keanu James
  • Keanu Michael
  • Keanu Lee
  • Keanu Thomas
  • Keanu Blue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Keanu

Kai Leilani Aloha Noa Zane

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 Keanu more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Keanu at #634 in the United States.

What do James and Keanu mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Keanu means "cool breeze over the mountains" (Hawaiian origin).

Are James and Keanu boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Keanu is primarily a boy name.

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