James vs Penny

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 →

Penny

Girl #746 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"with a web over her face"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#746
Total SSA Count
376
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Pen, Pey, Peie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Penny →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Penny Rank #746

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #746 for Penny.

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

Penny ___

  • Penny Rose
  • Penny Jane
  • Penny Lou
  • Penny Mae
  • Penny Grace
  • Penny Blair

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Penny

Nellie Bea Dot Hazel Millie

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 Penny more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Penny at #746 in the United States.

What do James and Penny mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Penny means "with a web over her face" (Greek origin).

Are James and Penny boy or girl names?

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

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