James vs Keary

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 →

Keary

Boy #20,729 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Dark one; descendant of Ciar"

Origin: Irish Gaelic Ciarraigh

Cultural Roots

Irish Celtic British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#20,729
Total SSA Count
6
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kear, Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Keary →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Keary Rank #20,729

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #20729 for Keary.

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

Keary ___

  • Keary Patrick
  • Keary James
  • Keary Finn
  • Keary Sean
  • Keary Liam

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Keary

Aoife Conor

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 Keary more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Keary at #20729 in the United States.

What do James and Keary mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Keary means "Dark one; descendant of Ciar" (Irish Gaelic Ciarraigh origin).

Are James and Keary boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Keary is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Keary vs James James vs Thomas James vs Gael James vs Matteo James vs John
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Keary Browse all baby names