James vs Lamar

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 →

Lamar

Boy #1,517 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"of the sea, of the lake"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

African American French American Southern US

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,517
Total SSA Count
117
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mar, Lam

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lamar →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lamar Rank #1,517

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1517 for Lamar.

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

Lamar ___

  • Lamar James
  • Lamar Anthony
  • Lamar Marcus
  • Lamar Deon
  • Lamar Robert

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lamar

Marcus Jada Deon Imani Kendrick

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 Lamar more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lamar at #1517 in the United States.

What do James and Lamar mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lamar means "of the sea, of the lake" (Old French origin).

Are James and Lamar boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Lamar is primarily a boy name.

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