James vs Samuel

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 →

Samuel

Boy #17 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"name of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Jewish Christian American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#17
Total SSA Count
8,310
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sam, Sammy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Samuel →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Samuel Rank #17

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #17 for Samuel.

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

Samuel ___

  • Samuel James
  • Samuel Thomas
  • Samuel Alexander
  • Samuel Joseph
  • Samuel Edward
  • Samuel Grey

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Samuel

Eleanor Hannah Nathan Rebecca Elijah

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 Samuel more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Samuel at #17 in the United States.

What do James and Samuel mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Samuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Samuel boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Samuel is primarily a boy name.

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