James vs Kelis

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 →

Kelis

Girl #4,446 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"modern American invented name"

Origin: American

Cultural Roots

American African American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,446
Total SSA Count
32
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Keli, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kelis →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kelis Rank #4,446

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4446 for Kelis.

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

Kelis ___

  • Kelis Marie
  • Kelis Rose
  • Kelis Nicole
  • Kelis Renee
  • Kelis Jade
  • Kelis Simone

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kelis

Aaliyah Ciara Amira Zara Tyrell

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 Kelis more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kelis at #4446 in the United States.

What do James and Kelis mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kelis means "modern American invented name" (American origin).

Are James and Kelis boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kelis is primarily a girl name.

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