James vs Shiv

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
Shiv Rank #1,776

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1776 for Shiv.

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

Shiv ___

  • Shiv Raj
  • Shiv Kumar
  • Shiv Prasad
  • Shiv Shankar
  • Shiv Dev

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shiv

Arjun Priya Ananya Krishna Lakshmi

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 Shiv more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shiv at #1776 in the United States.

What do James and Shiv mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shiv means "auspicious, benevolent" (Sanskrit origin).

Are James and Shiv boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shiv is primarily a boy name.

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