James vs Rei

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 →

Rei

Boy #3,800 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"courtesy, respect, gratitude"

Origin: Japanese kanji 礼

Cultural Roots

Japanese American Brazilian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,800
Total SSA Count
29
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rei →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rei Rank #3,800

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3800 for Rei.

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

Rei ___

  • Rei James
  • Rei Thomas
  • Rei Alexander
  • Rei Kenji
  • Rei Haruki
  • Rei Jun

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rei

Kai Sora Haru Ryu Suki

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 Rei more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rei at #3800 in the United States.

What do James and Rei mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rei means "courtesy, respect, gratitude" (Japanese kanji 礼 origin).

Are James and Rei boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rei is primarily a boy name.

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