James vs Payson

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Payson Rank #2,637

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2637 for Payson.

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

Payson ___

  • Payson James
  • Payson Thomas
  • Payson Lee
  • Payson Cole
  • Payson Reed
  • Payson Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Payson

Mason Grayson Hadley Peyton Kinsley

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 Payson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Payson at #2637 in the United States.

What do James and Payson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Payson means "son of Paye/Pace (son of Peace)" (Old English/Latin origin).

Are James and Payson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Payson is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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