James vs Quay

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 →

Quay

Boy #16,372 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"wharf, landing place"

Origin: Old Northern French

Cultural Roots

American English African-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#16,372
Total SSA Count
7
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Quay' rhymes with 'pee'"}

Full profile for Quay →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Quay Rank #16,372

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #16372 for Quay.

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

Quay ___

  • Quay James
  • Quay Alexander
  • Quay Michael
  • Quay Jordan
  • Quay Ellis

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Quay

Reef Bay River Shore Kai

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 Quay more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Quay at #16372 in the United States.

What do James and Quay mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Quay means "wharf, landing place" (Old Northern French origin).

Are James and Quay boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Quay is primarily a boy name.

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