James vs Madison

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Madison Rank #46

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #46 for Madison.

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

Madison ___

  • Madison Grace
  • Madison Ann
  • Madison Rose
  • Madison Claire
  • Madison Marie
  • Madison Faith

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Madison

Olivia Emma Avery Logan Jackson

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 Madison more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Madison at #46 in the United States.

What do James and Madison mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Madison means "son of Maud, son of Matthew" (English origin).

Are James and Madison boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Madison is primarily a girl name.

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