James vs Sarai

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 →

Sarai

Girl #445 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"my princess, my noblewoman"

Origin: Hebrew (sar + possessive -ai)

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Jewish Christian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#445
Total SSA Count
699
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rai, Sari

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Sarai →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Sarai Rank #445

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #445 for Sarai.

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

Sarai ___

  • Sarai Grace
  • Sarai Jade
  • Sarai Elizabeth
  • Sarai Luz
  • Sarai Elena
  • Sarai Rose

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sarai

Miriam Abigail Naomi Jonah 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 Sarai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sarai at #445 in the United States.

What do James and Sarai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Sarai means "my princess, my noblewoman" (Hebrew (sar + possessive -ai) origin).

Are James and Sarai boy or girl names?

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

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