James vs Porter

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Porter Rank #616

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #616 for Porter.

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

Porter ___

  • Porter James
  • Porter William
  • Porter Henry
  • Porter Lee
  • Porter Reid
  • Porter Cole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Porter

Archer Cooper Fletcher Hazel Piper

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 Porter more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Porter at #616 in the United States.

What do James and Porter mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Porter means "gatekeeper, doorman" (Old French origin).

Are James and Porter boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Porter is primarily a boy name.

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