James vs Kes

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 →

Kes

Girl #9,146 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"Rainbow; or kestrel bird"

Origin: Hebrew/English

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#9,146
Total SSA Count
12
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kessie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kes →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kes Rank #9,146

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #9146 for Kes.

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

Kes ___

  • Kes Joanna
  • Kes Elizabeth
  • Kes Maeve
  • Kes Violet

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kes

Bex Tess Wren Pax

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 Kes more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kes at #9146 in the United States.

What do James and Kes mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kes means "Rainbow; or kestrel bird" (Hebrew/English origin).

Are James and Kes boy or girl names?

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

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