James vs Shamar

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 →

Shamar

Boy #3,303 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"to guard, to keep watch"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

African American Jewish Arabic American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,303
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sha, Sham

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shamar →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shamar Rank #3,303

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3303 for Shamar.

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

Shamar ___

  • Shamar Isaiah
  • Shamar Elijah
  • Shamar Marcus
  • Shamar Dominic
  • Shamar Xavier
  • Shamar Jordan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shamar

Jamar Lamar Amara Zora Jabari

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 Shamar more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shamar at #3303 in the United States.

What do James and Shamar mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shamar means "to guard, to keep watch" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Shamar boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shamar is primarily a boy name.

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