James vs Shah

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 →

Shah

Boy #6,038 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"king, emperor, ruler"

Origin: Persian

Cultural Roots

Persian Iranian Pakistani Indian Central Asian Bangladeshi

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,038
Total SSA Count
15
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Shah

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shah →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shah Rank #6,038

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6038 for Shah.

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

Shah ___

  • Shah Ali
  • Shah Reza
  • Shah Hassan
  • Shah Mohammad
  • Shah Cyrus
  • Shah Darius

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shah

Cyrus Darius Leila Yasmin Reza

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 Shah more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shah at #6038 in the United States.

What do James and Shah mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shah means "king, emperor, ruler" (Persian origin).

Are James and Shah boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shah is primarily a boy name.

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