James vs Maximus

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 →

Maximus

Boy #331 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"greatest, largest"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English Roman American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#331
Total SSA Count
1,043
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Max, Maxi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maximus →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Maximus Rank #331

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #331 for Maximus.

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

Maximus ___

  • Maximus James
  • Maximus Alexander
  • Maximus Cole
  • Maximus Reid
  • Maximus Kai

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Maximus

Augustus Aurelius Julius Octavia Lucia

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 Maximus more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Maximus at #331 in the United States.

What do James and Maximus mean?

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

Are James and Maximus boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Maximus is primarily a boy name.

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