James vs Mads

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
Mads Rank #3,911

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3911 for Mads.

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

Mads ___

  • Mads Erik
  • Mads Lars
  • Mads Nils
  • Mads Oliver
  • Mads Sebastian

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mads

Soren Freya Lars Sigrid Bjorn

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 Mads more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mads at #3911 in the United States.

What do James and Mads mean?

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

Are James and Mads boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mads is primarily a boy name.

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