James vs Kingsley

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 →

Kingsley

Boy #986 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"king's meadow, king's clearing"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American West Indian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#986
Total SSA Count
228
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
King, Kings

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kingsley →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kingsley Rank #986

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #986 for Kingsley.

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

Kingsley ___

  • Kingsley James
  • Kingsley Cole
  • Kingsley Alexander
  • Kingsley Michael
  • Kingsley Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kingsley

Harlow Beckham Hendrix Paisley Lennon

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 Kingsley more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kingsley at #986 in the United States.

What do James and Kingsley mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kingsley means "king's meadow, king's clearing" (Old English origin).

Are James and Kingsley boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kingsley is primarily a boy name.

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