James vs Shaw

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 →

Shaw

Boy #4,307 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"thicket, small wood"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,307
Total SSA Count
25
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shaw →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shaw Rank #4,307

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4307 for Shaw.

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

Shaw ___

  • Shaw James
  • Shaw William
  • Shaw Alexander
  • Shaw Reid
  • Shaw Cole
  • Shaw Bennett

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shaw

Hayes Greer Quinn Sloane Reid

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 Shaw more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shaw at #4307 in the United States.

What do James and Shaw mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shaw means "thicket, small wood" (Old English origin).

Are James and Shaw boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shaw is primarily a boy name.

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