James vs Kennedy

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
Kennedy Rank #89

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #89 for Kennedy.

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

Kennedy ___

  • Kennedy Grace
  • Kennedy Rose
  • Kennedy Mae
  • Kennedy Claire
  • Kennedy Jane
  • Kennedy Anne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kennedy

Reagan Quinn Avery Riley Connor

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 Kennedy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kennedy at #89 in the United States.

What do James and Kennedy mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kennedy means "ugly head (from ceann donn)" (Irish origin).

Are James and Kennedy boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kennedy is primarily a girl name.

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