James vs Muhammad

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 →

Muhammad

Boy #245 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"praiseworthy, highly praised"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic Muslim South Asian African Global

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#245
Total SSA Count
1,441
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Mo, Hamad

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Muhammad →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Muhammad Rank #245

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #245 for Muhammad.

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

Muhammad ___

  • Muhammad Ali
  • Muhammad Hassan
  • Muhammad Ibrahim
  • Muhammad Omar
  • Muhammad Yusuf
  • Muhammad Khalid

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Muhammad

Ali Omar Ibrahim Fatima Aisha

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 Muhammad more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Muhammad at #245 in the United States.

What do James and Muhammad mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Muhammad means "praiseworthy, highly praised" (Arabic origin).

Are James and Muhammad boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Muhammad is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Muhammad vs James James vs Barrett James vs Kayden James vs Brayden James vs Aaron
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Muhammad Browse all baby names