James vs Rafferty

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 →

Rafferty

Boy #5,163 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"flood tide, abundance"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (rabhartach)

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,163
Total SSA Count
19
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Raff, Rafe, Riff

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rafferty →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rafferty Rank #5,163

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5163 for Rafferty.

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

Rafferty ___

  • Rafferty James
  • Rafferty John
  • Rafferty William
  • Rafferty Cole
  • Rafferty Grey
  • Rafferty Blue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rafferty

Cormac Declan Finnian Saoirse Niamh

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 Rafferty more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rafferty at #5163 in the United States.

What do James and Rafferty mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rafferty means "flood tide, abundance" (Irish Gaelic (rabhartach) origin).

Are James and Rafferty boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rafferty is primarily a boy name.

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