James vs Matthias

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 →

Matthias

Boy #472 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Biblical Eastern European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#472
Total SSA Count
653
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Matt, Matty, Thias

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Matthias →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Matthias Rank #472

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #472 for Matthias.

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

Matthias ___

  • Matthias James
  • Matthias Heinrich
  • Matthias Alexander
  • Matthias Wilhelm
  • Matthias Joseph
  • Matthias Elias

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Matthias

Sebastian Tobias Elias Cassius Leonora

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 Matthias more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Matthias at #472 in the United States.

What do James and Matthias mean?

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

Are James and Matthias boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Matthias is primarily a boy name.

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