James vs Shmuel

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 →

Shmuel

Boy #983 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"name of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Israeli Ashkenazi Sephardic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#983
Total SSA Count
229
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Shmulik, Muli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shmuel →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shmuel Rank #983

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #983 for Shmuel.

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

Shmuel ___

  • Shmuel Yitzchak
  • Shmuel David
  • Shmuel Avraham
  • Shmuel Moshe
  • Shmuel Aaron

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shmuel

Rivka Devorah Leah Moshe Nachman

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 Shmuel more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shmuel at #983 in the United States.

What do James and Shmuel mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shmuel means "name of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Shmuel boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shmuel is primarily a boy name.

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