James vs Kenya

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 →

Kenya

Girl #1,663 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"God's resting place, place of brightness"

Origin: Kikuyu

Cultural Roots

African American African Kenyan English-speaking

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,663
Total SSA Count
123
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kenya →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kenya Rank #1,663

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1663 for Kenya.

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

Kenya ___

  • Kenya Rose
  • Kenya Grace
  • Kenya Marie
  • Kenya Jean
  • Kenya Simone
  • Kenya Elise

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kenya

Zara Nia Amara Cairo Sierra

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 Kenya more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kenya at #1663 in the United States.

What do James and Kenya mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kenya means "God's resting place, place of brightness" (Kikuyu origin).

Are James and Kenya boy or girl names?

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

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