James vs Semaj

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 →

Semaj

Boy #1,067 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"James reversed — an ananym honoring the name James"

Origin: Modern American

Cultural Roots

American African American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,067
Total SSA Count
204
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Sem, Maj

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Semaj →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Semaj Rank #1,067

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1067 for Semaj.

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

Semaj ___

  • Semaj James
  • Semaj Ray
  • Semaj Deon
  • Semaj Andre
  • Semaj Marcus

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Semaj

Amari Jaylen Zion Naomi Destiny

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 Semaj more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Semaj at #1067 in the United States.

What do James and Semaj mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Semaj means "James reversed — an ananym honoring the name James" (Modern American origin).

Are James and Semaj boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Semaj is primarily a boy name.

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