James vs Raheem

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 →

Raheem

Boy #1,383 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"merciful, compassionate"

Origin: Arabic r-h-m root

Cultural Roots

Arabic Muslim African American South Asian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,383
Total SSA Count
136
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rah

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raheem →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Raheem Rank #1,383

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1383 for Raheem.

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

Raheem ___

  • Raheem Ahmad
  • Raheem Malik
  • Raheem Abdul
  • Raheem James
  • Raheem Omar
  • Raheem Hassan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Raheem

Kareem Hakeem Fatima Zainab Malik

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 Raheem more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Raheem at #1383 in the United States.

What do James and Raheem mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Raheem means "merciful, compassionate" (Arabic r-h-m root origin).

Are James and Raheem boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Raheem is primarily a boy name.

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