James vs Shea

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 →

Shea

Girl #1,188 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"admirable, hawk-like"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,188
Total SSA Count
200
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Shay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shea →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shea Rank #1,188

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1188 for Shea.

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

Shea ___

  • Shea Rose
  • Shea Lynn
  • Shea Marie
  • Shea Grace
  • Shea Elizabeth
  • Shea Ann

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shea

Quinn Finn Brynn Maeve Liam

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 Shea more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shea at #1188 in the United States.

What do James and Shea mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shea means "admirable, hawk-like" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Shea boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shea is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Shea vs James James vs Colton James vs Santiago James vs Jordan James vs Wyatt
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Shea Browse all baby names