James vs Rodney

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 →

Rodney

Boy #1,086 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"reed island, island near the clearing"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,086
Total SSA Count
200
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rod, Roddy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rodney →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rodney Rank #1,086

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1086 for Rodney.

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

Rodney ___

  • Rodney James
  • Rodney Lee
  • Rodney Wayne
  • Rodney Earl
  • Rodney Gene
  • Rodney Dale

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rodney

Ronald Donald Gerald Beverly Sharon

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 Rodney more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rodney at #1086 in the United States.

What do James and Rodney mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rodney means "reed island, island near the clearing" (Old English origin).

Are James and Rodney boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rodney is primarily a boy name.

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