James vs Mateo

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 →

Mateo

Boy #7 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#7
Total SSA Count
11,302
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Teo, Matt, Matteo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mateo →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mateo Rank #7

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #7 for Mateo.

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

Mateo ___

  • Mateo James
  • Mateo Alexander
  • Mateo Thomas
  • Mateo Gabriel
  • Mateo Luis
  • Mateo Antonio

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mateo

Isabella Camila Sofia Luna Diego

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 Mateo more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mateo at #7 in the United States.

What do James and Mateo mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mateo means "gift of Yahweh" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Mateo boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mateo is primarily a boy name.

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