James vs Khalil

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 →

Khalil

Boy #393 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"friend of God (theological)"

Origin: Islamic tradition

Cultural Roots

Arabic Muslim Middle Eastern African American South Asian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#393
Total SSA Count
830
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Khal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Khalil →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Khalil Rank #393

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #393 for Khalil.

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

Khalil ___

  • Khalil Darius
  • Khalil Xavier
  • Khalil James
  • Khalil Alexander
  • Khalil Ibrahim
  • Khalil Malik

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Khalil

Zara Amara Amir Layla Jasmine

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 Khalil more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Khalil at #393 in the United States.

What do James and Khalil mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Khalil means "friend of God (theological)" (Islamic tradition origin).

Are James and Khalil boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Khalil is primarily a boy name.

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