James vs Nielsen

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

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Nielsen Rank #22,150

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #22150 for Nielsen.

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

Nielsen ___

No pairings available yet.

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Nielsen

No sibling data available yet.

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 Nielsen more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Nielsen at #22150 in the United States.

What do James and Nielsen mean?

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

Are James and Nielsen boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Nielsen is primarily a boy name.

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