James vs Paxton

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 →

Paxton

Boy #288 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"peace town; settlement of peace"

Origin: Latin/Old English

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#288
Total SSA Count
1,165
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pax

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paxton →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Paxton Rank #288

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #288 for Paxton.

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

Paxton ___

  • Paxton James
  • Paxton Lee
  • Paxton Reid
  • Paxton Cole
  • Paxton Gray
  • Paxton Scott

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Paxton

Remington Braxton Hudson Hadley Wren

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 Paxton more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Paxton at #288 in the United States.

What do James and Paxton mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Paxton means "peace town; settlement of peace" (Latin/Old English origin).

Are James and Paxton boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Paxton is primarily a boy name.

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