James vs Selah

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 →

Selah

Girl #280 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"to praise; to exalt"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

American Christian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#280
Total SSA Count
1,122
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ley, Lah

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Selah →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Selah Rank #280

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #280 for Selah.

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

Selah ___

  • Selah Grace
  • Selah Joy
  • Selah Marie
  • Selah Rose
  • Selah Faith
  • Selah Hope

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Selah

Shiloh Zion Eden Ezra Lyric

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 Selah more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Selah at #280 in the United States.

What do James and Selah mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Selah means "to praise; to exalt" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Selah boy or girl names?

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

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