James vs Kei

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 →

Kei

Boy #4,606 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"joy, jubilation"

Origin: Japanese kanji 慶

Cultural Roots

Japanese American Hawaiian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,606
Total SSA Count
22
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kei →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kei Rank #4,606

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4606 for Kei.

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

Kei ___

  • Kei James
  • Kei Alexander
  • Kei William
  • Kei Michael
  • Kei Lee
  • Kei Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kei

Kai Ren Hiro Mia Yuki

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 Kei more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kei at #4606 in the United States.

What do James and Kei mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kei means "joy, jubilation" (Japanese kanji 慶 origin).

Are James and Kei boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kei is primarily a boy name.

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