James vs Kegan

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 →

Kegan

Boy #4,396 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"small flame, little fire"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,396
Total SSA Count
24
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Keg, Kee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kegan →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kegan Rank #4,396

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4396 for Kegan.

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

Kegan ___

  • Kegan James
  • Kegan Patrick
  • Kegan Michael
  • Kegan Thomas
  • Kegan Finn
  • Kegan Ryan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kegan

Declan Finn Cian Teagan Siobhan

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 Kegan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kegan at #4396 in the United States.

What do James and Kegan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kegan means "small flame, little fire" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Kegan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kegan is primarily a boy name.

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