James vs Moses

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 →

Moses

Boy #506 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"drawn out of water"

Origin: Hebrew via Egyptian

Cultural Roots

Hebrew American African-American Christian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#506
Total SSA Count
603
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Mose, Mo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Moses →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Moses Rank #506

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #506 for Moses.

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

Moses ___

  • Moses James
  • Moses Elijah
  • Moses David
  • Moses Emmanuel
  • Moses Abraham
  • Moses Isaac

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Moses

Elijah Abraham Solomon Miriam Deborah

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 Moses more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Moses at #506 in the United States.

What do James and Moses mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Moses means "drawn out of water" (Hebrew via Egyptian origin).

Are James and Moses boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Moses is primarily a boy name.

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