James vs Kye

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 →

Kye

Boy #1,197 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"narrow strait"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Scottish Welsh Australian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,197
Total SSA Count
171
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kye →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Kye Rank #1,197

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1197 for Kye.

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

Kye ___

  • Kye James
  • Kye William
  • Kye Lee
  • Kye Thomas
  • Kye Reid
  • Kye Alexander

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Kye

Kai Cole Finn Ryder Zoe

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 Kye more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Kye at #1197 in the United States.

What do James and Kye mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Kye means "narrow strait" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Kye boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Kye is primarily a boy name.

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