James vs Rakai

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 →

Rakai

Boy #3,323 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"to care for, to cherish"

Origin: Luganda

Cultural Roots

African American Ugandan

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,323
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kai, Ray, Raki

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rakai →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rakai Rank #3,323

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3323 for Rakai.

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

Rakai ___

  • Rakai James
  • Rakai Emmanuel
  • Rakai David
  • Rakai Marcus
  • Rakai Lee
  • Rakai Josiah

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rakai

Zara Amara Makena Jabari Amani

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 Rakai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rakai at #3323 in the United States.

What do James and Rakai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rakai means "to care for, to cherish" (Luganda origin).

Are James and Rakai boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rakai is primarily a boy name.

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