James vs Kenji

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 →

Kenji

Boy #853 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong, vigorous second son"

Origin: Japanese (健二)

Cultural Roots

Japanese Japanese-American Asian-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#853
Total SSA Count
283
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ken, Keni

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kenji →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kenji Rank #853

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #853 for Kenji.

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

Kenji ___

  • Kenji Alexander
  • Kenji James
  • Kenji Michael
  • Kenji Thomas
  • Kenji William
  • Kenji Ryu

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kenji

Hiro Ryu Akira Yuki Hana

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 Kenji more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kenji at #853 in the United States.

What do James and Kenji mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kenji means "strong, vigorous second son" (Japanese (健二) origin).

Are James and Kenji boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kenji is primarily a boy name.

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