James vs Malani

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 →

Malani

Girl #331 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"heavenly, of the sky"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian American Pacific Islander

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#331
Total SSA Count
938
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mali, Lani

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Malani →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Malani Rank #331

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #331 for Malani.

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

Malani ___

  • Malani Rose
  • Malani Grace
  • Malani Kai
  • Malani Lei
  • Malani Jo

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Malani

Kailani Ailani Makoa Malia Kai

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 Malani more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Malani at #331 in the United States.

What do James and Malani mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Malani means "heavenly, of the sky" (Hawaiian origin).

Are James and Malani boy or girl names?

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

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