James vs Shamari

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 →

Shamari

Boy #6,304 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"modern coinage, possibly 'thankful lion'"

Origin: African-American coined

Cultural Roots

African-American American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,304
Total SSA Count
14
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sham, Mari

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shamari →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shamari Rank #6,304

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6304 for Shamari.

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

Shamari ___

  • Shamari James
  • Shamari Lee
  • Shamari Xavier
  • Shamari Deon
  • Shamari Ray
  • Shamari Marcus

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shamari

Amari Kamari Tamara Zion Omari

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 Shamari more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shamari at #6304 in the United States.

What do James and Shamari mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shamari means "modern coinage, possibly 'thankful lion'" (African-American coined origin).

Are James and Shamari boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shamari is primarily a boy name.

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