James vs Makoa

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 →

Makoa

Boy #1,118 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"the koa (warrior tree)"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian Pacific Islander American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,118
Total SSA Count
191
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mako

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Makoa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Makoa Rank #1,118

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1118 for Makoa.

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

Makoa ___

  • Makoa James
  • Makoa Kai
  • Makoa David
  • Makoa River
  • Makoa Keanu
  • Makoa Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Makoa

Kai Lani Koa Malia Hana

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 Makoa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Makoa at #1118 in the United States.

What do James and Makoa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Makoa means "the koa (warrior tree)" (Hawaiian origin).

Are James and Makoa boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Makoa is primarily a boy name.

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