James vs Matai

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 →

Matai

Boy #5,507 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"chief, family title"

Origin: Samoan

Cultural Roots

Samoan Polynesian New Zealand

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,507
Total SSA Count
17
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mat

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Matai →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Matai Rank #5,507

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5507 for Matai.

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

Matai ___

  • Matai James
  • Matai John
  • Matai Solomon
  • Matai David
  • Matai Elias

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Matai

Lani Tane Aroha Sione Kiri

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 Matai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Matai at #5507 in the United States.

What do James and Matai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Matai means "chief, family title" (Samoan origin).

Are James and Matai boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Matai is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Matai vs James James vs Jayden James vs Kayden James vs Arlo James vs Amir
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Matai Browse all baby names