James vs Percival

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 →

Percival

Boy #1,765 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"pierce the valley"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

English French Medieval European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,765
Total SSA Count
93
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Percy, Val

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Percival →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Percival Rank #1,765

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1765 for Percival.

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

Percival ___

  • Percival James
  • Percival Arthur
  • Percival Edward
  • Percival William
  • Percival Hugo
  • Percival Felix

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Percival

Gawain Lancelot Isolde Guinevere Arthur

Which Name Fits Your Family?

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1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Percival more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Percival at #1765 in the United States.

What do James and Percival mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Percival means "pierce the valley" (Old French origin).

Are James and Percival boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Percival is primarily a boy name.

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