James vs Keiran

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 →

Keiran

Boy #5,092 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"dark one, little dark one"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,092
Total SSA Count
19
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kei, Keri

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Keiran →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Keiran Rank #5,092

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5092 for Keiran.

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

Keiran ___

  • Keiran James
  • Keiran Patrick
  • Keiran Thomas
  • Keiran Michael
  • Keiran Liam
  • Keiran Sean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Keiran

Declan Fiona Niamh Ronan 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 Keiran more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Keiran at #5092 in the United States.

What do James and Keiran mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Keiran means "dark one, little dark one" (Irish origin).

Are James and Keiran boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Keiran is primarily a boy name.

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