James vs Kim

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 →

Kim

Girl #4,816 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English Korean Vietnamese Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,816
Total SSA Count
28
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kimmy, Kimmie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kim →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kim Rank #4,816

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4816 for Kim.

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

Kim ___

  • Kim Marie
  • Kim Anne
  • Kim Lee
  • Kim Jade
  • Kim Rose
  • Kim Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kim

Kelly Karen Kevin Kyle Kari

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 Kim more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kim at #4816 in the United States.

What do James and Kim mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kim means "short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa" (English origin).

Are James and Kim boy or girl names?

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

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