James vs Mai

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 →

Mai

Girl #3,216 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"apricot blossom, yellow flower"

Origin: Vietnamese

Cultural Roots

Vietnamese Japanese Scandinavian Arabic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,216
Total SSA Count
49
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mai →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mai Rank #3,216

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3216 for Mai.

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

Mai ___

  • Mai Linh
  • Mai Anh
  • Mai Thu
  • Mai Jade
  • Mai Rose
  • Mai Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mai

Lan Hoa Minh Linh Nam

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 Mai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mai at #3216 in the United States.

What do James and Mai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mai means "apricot blossom, yellow flower" (Vietnamese origin).

Are James and Mai boy or girl names?

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

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