James vs Kris

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 →

Kris

Boy #3,551 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"follower of Christ, anointed one"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

American Scandinavian European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,551
Total SSA Count
32
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kris →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kris Rank #3,551

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3551 for Kris.

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

Kris ___

  • Kris Allen
  • Kris James
  • Kris Lee
  • Kris Michael
  • Kris Paul
  • Kris Ryan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kris

Kyle Kurt Kim Kara Brett

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 Kris more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kris at #3551 in the United States.

What do James and Kris mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kris means "follower of Christ, anointed one" (Greek origin).

Are James and Kris boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kris is primarily a boy name.

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