James vs Keenan

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 →

Keenan

Boy #1,218 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little ancient one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American Scottish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,218
Total SSA Count
166
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Keen, Kee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Keenan →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Keenan Rank #1,218

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1218 for Keenan.

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

Keenan ___

  • Keenan Patrick
  • Keenan James
  • Keenan Michael
  • Keenan Declan
  • Keenan Finn
  • Keenan Rory

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Keenan

Niamh Declan Siobhan Liam Aoife

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 Keenan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Keenan at #1218 in the United States.

What do James and Keenan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Keenan means "little ancient one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Keenan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Keenan is primarily a boy name.

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