James vs Peter

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 →

Peter

Boy #192 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Dutch Scandinavian German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#192
Total SSA Count
1,889
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pete, Per

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Peter' can be twisted to 'peter'"}

Full profile for Peter →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Peter Rank #192

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #192 for Peter.

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

Peter ___

  • Peter James
  • Peter Alexander
  • Peter John
  • Peter William
  • Peter Henry
  • Peter Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Peter

John Mary Thomas Catherine Elizabeth

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 Peter more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Peter at #192 in the United States.

What do James and Peter mean?

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

Are James and Peter boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Peter is primarily a boy name.

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