James vs Pete

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 →

Pete

Boy #3,090 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Dutch Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,090
Total SSA Count
40
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Pete →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Pete Rank #3,090

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3090 for Pete.

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

Pete ___

  • Pete James
  • Pete Michael
  • Pete David
  • Pete Thomas
  • Pete Henry
  • Pete George

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Pete

Sam Tom Jack Dave Ann

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 Pete more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Pete at #3090 in the United States.

What do James and Pete mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Pete means "rock, stone" (Greek origin).

Are James and Pete boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Pete is primarily a boy name.

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