James vs Shem

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shem Rank #6,712

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6712 for Shem.

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

Shem ___

  • Shem David
  • Shem Eli
  • Shem Aaron
  • Shem Joseph
  • Shem Noah

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shem

Ham Japheth Noah Kenan Arpachshad

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 Shem more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shem at #6712 in the United States.

What do James and Shem mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shem means "reputation, legacy" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Shem boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shem is primarily a boy name.

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