James vs Obi

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 →

Obi

Boy #3,834 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"child born at a prosperous time"

Origin: Igbo

Cultural Roots

Igbo Nigerian African English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,834
Total SSA Count
29
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Obi →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Obi Rank #3,834

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3834 for Obi.

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

Obi ___

  • Obi James
  • Obi Emmanuel
  • Obi David
  • Obi Chukwu
  • Obi Maxwell

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Obi

Emeka Chidi Adaeze Ngozi Tobenna

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 Obi more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Obi at #3834 in the United States.

What do James and Obi mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Obi means "child born at a prosperous time" (Igbo origin).

Are James and Obi boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Obi is primarily a boy name.

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