James vs Magnus

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 →

Magnus

Boy #751 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"great"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian Scottish Norwegian Swedish Danish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#751
Total SSA Count
340
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Mags, Maggy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Magnus →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Magnus Rank #751

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #751 for Magnus.

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

Magnus ___

  • Magnus Erik
  • Magnus Karl
  • Magnus John
  • Magnus Oliver
  • Magnus Lars
  • Magnus William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Magnus

Astrid Sigrid Leif Freya 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 Magnus more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Magnus at #751 in the United States.

What do James and Magnus mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Magnus means "great" (Latin origin).

Are James and Magnus boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Magnus is primarily a boy name.

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