James vs Luke

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 →

Luke

Boy #34 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"man from Lucania"

Origin: Greek Loukas referring to Lucania region of Italy

Cultural Roots

Greek English Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#34
Total SSA Count
7,039
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Luke →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Luke Rank #34

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #34 for Luke.

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

Luke ___

  • Luke James
  • Luke Alexander
  • Luke Thomas
  • Luke William
  • Luke Edward
  • Luke Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Luke

Leia Han Owen Mark Matthew

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 Luke more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Luke at #34 in the United States.

What do James and Luke mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Luke means "man from Lucania" (Greek Loukas referring to Lucania region of Italy origin).

Are James and Luke boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Luke is primarily a boy name.

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