James vs Lake

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 →

Lake

Boy #1,633 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"a large inland body of water"

Origin: Old French via Latin

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,633
Total SSA Count
104
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lake →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lake Rank #1,633

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1633 for Lake.

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

Lake ___

  • Lake Henry
  • Lake James
  • Lake Owen
  • Lake Reid
  • Lake Cole
  • Lake River

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lake

River Forest Blaze Brook Ridge

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 Lake more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lake at #1633 in the United States.

What do James and Lake mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lake means "a large inland body of water" (Old French via Latin origin).

Are James and Lake boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Lake is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Lake vs James James vs Julian James vs Jason James vs Logan James vs River
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Lake Browse all baby names