James vs Payton

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 →

Payton

Girl #381 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Paega's town, farmstead settlement"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#381
Total SSA Count
820
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Pay, Payt

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Payton →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Payton Rank #381

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #381 for Payton.

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

Payton ___

  • Payton Grace
  • Payton Ann
  • Payton Marie
  • Payton Rose
  • Payton Leigh
  • Payton Nicole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Payton

Taylor Jordan Riley Bailey Blake

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 Payton more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Payton at #381 in the United States.

What do James and Payton mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Payton means "Paega's town, farmstead settlement" (Old English origin).

Are James and Payton boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Payton is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Payton vs James James vs Ian James vs Isaac James vs Harrison James vs Oliver
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Payton Browse all baby names