James vs Patrick

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 →

Patrick

Boy #221 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"patrician, of noble birth"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Irish English Scottish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#221
Total SSA Count
1,622
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pat, Paddy, Rick

Playground Safety Score

8 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme_pattern, :severity=>:low, :message=>"'Patrick' ending sounds like 'sick/thick/dick'"}

Full profile for Patrick →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Patrick Rank #221

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #221 for Patrick.

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

Patrick ___

  • Patrick James
  • Patrick Michael
  • Patrick John
  • Patrick Joseph
  • Patrick Thomas
  • Patrick Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Patrick

Brigid Siobhan Colm Finn Maeve

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 Patrick more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Patrick at #221 in the United States.

What do James and Patrick mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Patrick means "patrician, of noble birth" (Latin origin).

Are James and Patrick boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Patrick is primarily a boy name.

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