James vs Maceo

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 →

Maceo

Boy #2,163 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God"

Origin: Hebrew via Italian

Cultural Roots

Italian Spanish African American American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,163
Total SSA Count
68
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mac, Mace

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maceo →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Maceo Rank #2,163

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2163 for Maceo.

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

Maceo ___

  • Maceo James
  • Maceo Anthony
  • Maceo Lorenzo
  • Maceo Rafael
  • Maceo David

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Maceo

Zora Coltrane Billie Mingus Josephine

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 Maceo more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Maceo at #2163 in the United States.

What do James and Maceo mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Maceo means "gift of God" (Hebrew via Italian origin).

Are James and Maceo boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Maceo is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Maceo vs James James vs Evan James vs Jacob James vs Aaron James vs August
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Maceo Browse all baby names