James vs Preston

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
Preston Rank #330

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #330 for Preston.

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

Preston ___

  • Preston James
  • Preston Alexander
  • Preston Cole
  • Preston Lee
  • Preston Michael

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Preston

Sutton Clayton Raleigh Weston Sawyer

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 Preston more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Preston at #330 in the United States.

What do James and Preston mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Preston means "priest's town, priestly settlement" (Old English origin).

Are James and Preston boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Preston is primarily a boy name.

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