James vs Meir

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 →

Meir

Boy #916 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"shining, luminous"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Israeli Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#916
Total SSA Count
253
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mei

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Meir →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Meir Rank #916

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #916 for Meir.

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

Meir ___

  • Meir David
  • Meir Aaron
  • Meir Jacob
  • Meir Eli
  • Meir Nathan
  • Meir Samuel

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Meir

Tzvi Miriam Devorah Noam Avital

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 Meir more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Meir at #916 in the United States.

What do James and Meir mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Meir means "shining, luminous" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Meir boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Meir is primarily a boy name.

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