James vs Mathew

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 →

Mathew

Boy #941 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God, gift of Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Christian American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#941
Total SSA Count
244
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Matt, Matty

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mathew →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mathew Rank #941

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #941 for Mathew.

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

Mathew ___

  • Mathew James
  • Mathew Thomas
  • Mathew David
  • Mathew John
  • Mathew Alexander
  • Mathew William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mathew

Luke John Sarah Emily Rachel

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 Mathew more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mathew at #941 in the United States.

What do James and Mathew mean?

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

Are James and Mathew boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mathew is primarily a boy name.

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