James vs Matthews

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Matthews Rank #4,628

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4628 for Matthews.

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

Matthews ___

  • Matthews James
  • Matthews Cole
  • Matthews Lee
  • Matthews Allen
  • Matthews Joseph
  • Matthews Crew

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Matthews

Harrison Brooks Parker Hudson Emerson

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 Matthews more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Matthews at #4628 in the United States.

What do James and Matthews mean?

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

Are James and Matthews boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Matthews is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Matthews vs James James vs Arthur James vs Juan James vs Connor James vs Micah
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Matthews Browse all baby names