James vs Payden

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 →

Payden

Boy #6,329 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"fighting man's settlement"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,329
Total SSA Count
14
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Pay, Pade

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Payden →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Payden Rank #6,329

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6329 for Payden.

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

Payden ___

  • Payden James
  • Payden Cole
  • Payden Lee
  • Payden Ryan
  • Payden Beau
  • Payden Reed

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Payden

Brayden Kaiden Rayne Peyton Addison

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 Payden more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Payden at #6329 in the United States.

What do James and Payden mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Payden means "fighting man's settlement" (Old English origin).

Are James and Payden boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Payden is primarily a boy name.

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