James vs Mason

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 →

Mason

Boy #42 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Stone worker; one who builds with stone"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#42
Total SSA Count
6,471
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mase

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mason →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mason Rank #42

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #42 for Mason.

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

Mason ___

  • Mason James
  • Mason Lee
  • Mason Ryan
  • Mason Cole
  • Mason Scott
  • Mason Blake

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mason

Jackson Logan Carter Riley Harper

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 Mason more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mason at #42 in the United States.

What do James and Mason mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mason means "Stone worker; one who builds with stone" (English origin).

Are James and Mason boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mason is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Mason vs James James vs Owen James vs Julian James vs Archer James vs Thomas
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Mason Browse all baby names