James vs Samantha

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Samantha Rank #127

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #127 for Samantha.

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

Samantha ___

  • Samantha Grace
  • Samantha Rose
  • Samantha Jane
  • Samantha Marie
  • Samantha Lee
  • Samantha Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Samantha

Jessica Amanda Matthew Christopher Brittany

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 Samantha more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Samantha at #127 in the United States.

What do James and Samantha mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Samantha means "told by God" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Samantha boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Samantha is primarily a girl name.

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