James vs Maxim

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 →

Maxim

Boy #1,448 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"greatest"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Russian Eastern European French Slavic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,448
Total SSA Count
125
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Max

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maxim →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Maxim Rank #1,448

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1448 for Maxim.

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

Maxim ___

  • Maxim Alexander
  • Maxim Ivan
  • Maxim Andre
  • Maxim Leon
  • Maxim Viktor
  • Maxim Luca

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Maxim

Mikhail Alexei Natasha Sonya Dmitri

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 Maxim more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Maxim at #1448 in the United States.

What do James and Maxim mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Maxim means "greatest" (Latin origin).

Are James and Maxim boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Maxim is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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