James vs Kensington

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
Kensington Rank #2,402

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2402 for Kensington.

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

Kensington ___

  • Kensington Rose
  • Kensington Grace
  • Kensington Jane
  • Kensington Louise
  • Kensington Anne
  • Kensington Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kensington

Pemberton Remington Anniston Blythe Harlow

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 Kensington more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kensington at #2402 in the United States.

What do James and Kensington mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kensington means "estate of Cynsige's people" (Old English origin).

Are James and Kensington boy or girl names?

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

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