James vs Kwabena

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kwabena Rank #5,876

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5876 for Kwabena.

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

Kwabena ___

  • Kwabena Kofi
  • Kwabena Asante
  • Kwabena Emmanuel
  • Kwabena Daniel
  • Kwabena Samuel
  • Kwabena Kwame

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kwabena

Kofi Abena Kwame Ama Akua

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 Kwabena more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kwabena at #5876 in the United States.

What do James and Kwabena mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kwabena means "born on Tuesday" (Akan origin).

Are James and Kwabena boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kwabena is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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