James vs Mathews

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 →

Mathews

Boy #16,271 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God / gift of Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew (via Matthew/Mattityahu)

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#16,271
Total SSA Count
7
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Matt, Math

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mathews →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Mathews Rank #16,271

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #16271 for Mathews.

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

Mathews ___

  • Mathews James
  • Mathews Cole
  • Mathews Reed
  • Mathews Blake
  • Mathews Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Mathews

Harrison Brooks Parker Sawyer

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 Mathews more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Mathews at #16271 in the United States.

What do James and Mathews mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Mathews means "gift of God / gift of Yahweh" (Hebrew (via Matthew/Mattityahu) origin).

Are James and Mathews boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Mathews is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Mathews vs James James vs Matias James vs Milo James vs Miles James vs Xavier
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Mathews Browse all baby names