James vs Kenai

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kenai Rank #770

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #770 for Kenai.

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

Kenai ___

  • Kenai James
  • Kenai Bear
  • Kenai River
  • Kenai Cole
  • Kenai Lee
  • Kenai Wade

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kenai

Kodiak Sitka Juneau Ember Aspen

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 Kenai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kenai at #770 in the United States.

What do James and Kenai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kenai means "flat land" (Dena'ina Athabascan origin).

Are James and Kenai boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kenai is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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