James vs Matthew

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 →

Matthew

Boy #33 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God"

Origin: Hebrew Mattityahu from mattan and Yahweh

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English French Italian Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#33
Total SSA Count
7,078
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Matt, Matty, Mat

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Matthew →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Matthew Rank #33

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #33 for Matthew.

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

Matthew ___

  • Matthew James
  • Matthew Thomas
  • Matthew David
  • Matthew Andrew
  • Matthew John
  • Matthew Robert

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Matthew

Luke John Mark Sarah Hannah

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 Matthew more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Matthew at #33 in the United States.

What do James and Matthew mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Matthew means "gift of God" (Hebrew Mattityahu from mattan and Yahweh origin).

Are James and Matthew boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Matthew is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Matthew vs James James vs Lorenzo James vs Xavier James vs Benjamin James vs Waylon
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Matthew Browse all baby names