James vs Otto

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 →

Otto

Boy #274 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wealth, fortune, prosperity"

Origin: Old High German

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Italian English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#274
Total SSA Count
1,239
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Otto →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Otto Rank #274

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #274 for Otto.

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

Otto ___

  • Otto James
  • Otto Friedrich
  • Otto Hans
  • Otto Wilhelm
  • Otto Lee
  • Otto Max

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Otto

Felix Hugo Greta Marta Klaus

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 Otto more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Otto at #274 in the United States.

What do James and Otto mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Otto means "wealth, fortune, prosperity" (Old High German origin).

Are James and Otto boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Otto is primarily a boy name.

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