James vs Percy

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 →

Percy

Boy #1,256 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from Percy (Norman place name)"

Origin: Norman French

Cultural Roots

English American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,256
Total SSA Count
157
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Perce

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Percy →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Percy Rank #1,256

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1256 for Percy.

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

Percy ___

  • Percy James
  • Percy Arthur
  • Percy Edmund
  • Percy Oliver
  • Percy George
  • Percy Fox

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Percy

Atticus Hugo Harriet Clem Gus

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 Percy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Percy at #1256 in the United States.

What do James and Percy mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Percy means "from Percy (Norman place name)" (Norman French origin).

Are James and Percy boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Percy is primarily a boy name.

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