James vs Leif

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 →

Leif

Boy #926 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"heir, descendant, beloved"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian Norwegian Swedish Danish Icelandic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#926
Total SSA Count
250
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Leif →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Leif Rank #926

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #926 for Leif.

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

Leif ___

  • Leif Erik
  • Leif Magnus
  • Leif Anders
  • Leif James
  • Leif Thomas
  • Leif William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Leif

Signe Astrid Bjorn Ingrid Gunnar

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 Leif more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Leif at #926 in the United States.

What do James and Leif mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Leif means "heir, descendant, beloved" (Old Norse origin).

Are James and Leif boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Leif is primarily a boy name.

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