James vs Mansa

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 →

Mansa

Boy #4,793 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"king, sultan, ruler"

Origin: Mandinka/Mande

Cultural Roots

West African Malian Gambian Mandinka

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,793
Total SSA Count
21
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Man, May, Maie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mansa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mansa Rank #4,793

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4793 for Mansa.

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

Mansa ___

  • Mansa Kofi
  • Mansa Kwame
  • Mansa Seun
  • Mansa Amir
  • Mansa Solomon
  • Mansa David

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mansa

Zara Amara Fatima Kemi Kofi

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 Mansa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mansa at #4793 in the United States.

What do James and Mansa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mansa means "king, sultan, ruler" (Mandinka/Mande origin).

Are James and Mansa boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mansa is primarily a boy name.

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