James vs Kemari

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 →

Kemari

Boy #1,988 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"moonlit, of the moon"

Origin: Arabic/Swahili kamari

Cultural Roots

African-American American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,988
Total SSA Count
78
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kem, Kemi, Mari

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kemari →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kemari Rank #1,988

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1988 for Kemari.

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

Kemari ___

  • Kemari James
  • Kemari Elijah
  • Kemari Deon
  • Kemari Andre
  • Kemari Isaiah
  • Kemari Xavier

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kemari

Amari Kamari Zion Nadia Layla

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 Kemari more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kemari at #1988 in the United States.

What do James and Kemari mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kemari means "moonlit, of the moon" (Arabic/Swahili kamari origin).

Are James and Kemari boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kemari is primarily a boy name.

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