James vs Selene

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 →

Selene

Girl #674 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"moon, light"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek Italian Spanish French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#674
Total SSA Count
424
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Selly, Lena, Sel

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Selene' rhymes with 'mean'"}

Full profile for Selene →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Selene Rank #674

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #674 for Selene.

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

Selene ___

  • Selene Rose
  • Selene Marie
  • Selene Grace
  • Selene Aurora
  • Selene Jade
  • Selene Faye

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Selene

Athena Chloe Iris Luna Apollo

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 Selene more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Selene at #674 in the United States.

What do James and Selene mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Selene means "moon, light" (Greek origin).

Are James and Selene boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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