James vs Kenneth

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 →

Kenneth

Boy #284 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"handsome; fair one"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach)

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#284
Total SSA Count
1,186
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kenneth →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kenneth Rank #284

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #284 for Kenneth.

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

Kenneth ___

  • Kenneth James
  • Kenneth Robert
  • Kenneth William
  • Kenneth Allen
  • Kenneth Dale
  • Kenneth Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kenneth

Donald Gerald Patricia Barbara Dennis

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 Kenneth more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kenneth at #284 in the United States.

What do James and Kenneth mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kenneth means "handsome; fair one" (Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach) origin).

Are James and Kenneth boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kenneth is primarily a boy name.

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