James vs Makena

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
Makena Rank #2,045

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2045 for Makena.

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

Makena ___

  • Makena Rose
  • Makena Joy
  • Makena Grace
  • Makena Amara
  • Makena Nia
  • Makena Zuri

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Makena

Amara Zara Nia Kofi Jabari

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 Makena more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Makena at #2045 in the United States.

What do James and Makena mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Makena means "the happy one" (Kikuyu origin).

Are James and Makena boy or girl names?

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

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