James vs Mae

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 →

Mae

Girl #530 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pearl"

Origin: Greek via Latin

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#530
Total SSA Count
574
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mae →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mae Rank #530

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #530 for Mae.

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

Mae ___

  • Mae Elizabeth
  • Mae Louise
  • Mae Catherine
  • Mae Caroline
  • Mae Alexandra
  • Mae Josephine

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mae

Rose Pearl June Beatrice Iris

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 Mae more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mae at #530 in the United States.

What do James and Mae mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mae means "pearl" (Greek via Latin origin).

Are James and Mae boy or girl names?

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

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