James vs Raf

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 →

Raf

Boy #44,839 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God heals"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Dutch Belgian Hebrew English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#44,839
Total SSA Count
5
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raf →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Raf Rank #44,839

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #44839 for Raf.

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

Raf ___

  • Raf James
  • Raf Oliver
  • Raf Leo
  • Raf Sebastian
  • Raf Max

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Raf

Leo Sasha Bram Nico

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 Raf more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Raf at #44839 in the United States.

What do James and Raf mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Raf means "God heals" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Raf boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Raf is primarily a boy name.

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