James vs Silas

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
Silas Rank #81

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #81 for Silas.

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

Silas ___

  • Silas James
  • Silas August
  • Silas Everett
  • Silas Cole
  • Silas Finn
  • Silas John

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Silas

Ezra Jasper Amos Iris Wren

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 Silas more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Silas at #81 in the United States.

What do James and Silas mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Silas means "of the forest" (Latin (Silvanus) origin).

Are James and Silas boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Silas is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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