James vs Kemp

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 →

Kemp

Boy #5,951 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"tournament fighter, gladiator"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,951
Total SSA Count
15
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kemp →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kemp Rank #5,951

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5951 for Kemp.

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

Kemp ___

  • Kemp Lee
  • Kemp James
  • Kemp Cole
  • Kemp Reid
  • Kemp Grant
  • Kemp Ryan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kemp

Brooks Reed Sloane Vance Thayer

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 Kemp more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kemp at #5951 in the United States.

What do James and Kemp mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kemp means "tournament fighter, gladiator" (Old English origin).

Are James and Kemp boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kemp is primarily a boy name.

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