James vs Kerry

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
Kerry Rank #2,690

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2690 for Kerry.

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

Kerry ___

  • Kerry James
  • Kerry Michael
  • Kerry Patrick
  • Kerry Sean
  • Kerry Thomas
  • Kerry Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kerry

Dermot Brigid Siobhan Cormac Aoife

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 Kerry more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kerry at #2690 in the United States.

What do James and Kerry mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kerry means "dark, dark-featured" (Old Irish origin).

Are James and Kerry boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kerry is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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