James vs Mako

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 →

Mako

Boy #4,887 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"true child; sincerity"

Origin: Japanese

Cultural Roots

Japanese Hawaiian Maori

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,887
Total SSA Count
20
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mak

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mako →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mako Rank #4,887

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4887 for Mako.

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

Mako ___

  • Mako James
  • Mako Lee
  • Mako River
  • Mako Kai
  • Mako Finn
  • Mako Cole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mako

Kai, Ryo Hana Sora Niko Yuki

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 Mako more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mako at #4887 in the United States.

What do James and Mako mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mako means "true child; sincerity" (Japanese origin).

Are James and Mako boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mako is primarily a boy name.

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