James vs Ken

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 →

Ken

Boy #3,299 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"handsome, born of fire"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Japanese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,299
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ken →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Ken Rank #3,299

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3299 for Ken.

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

Ken ___

  • Ken James
  • Ken Thomas
  • Ken Lee
  • Ken Wayne
  • Ken Scott
  • Ken Allen

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Ken

Gary Don Linda Susan Barbie

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 Ken more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ken at #3299 in the United States.

What do James and Ken mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Ken means "handsome, born of fire" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Ken boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Ken is primarily a boy name.

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