James vs Makani

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 →

Makani

Boy #4,862 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"the wind"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian Polynesian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,862
Total SSA Count
21
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mak, Kani

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Makani →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Makani Rank #4,862

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4862 for Makani.

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

Makani ___

  • Makani Kai
  • Makani James
  • Makani Lee
  • Makani Cruz
  • Makani Ridge
  • Makani Blue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Makani

Kai Lani Koa Nalu Malia

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 Makani more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Makani at #4862 in the United States.

What do James and Makani mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Makani means "the wind" (Hawaiian origin).

Are James and Makani boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Makani is primarily a boy name.

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