James vs Simon

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 →

Simon

Boy #251 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"he has heard, God has heard"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English French German Scandinavian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#251
Total SSA Count
1,402
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Si, Sim

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Simon →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Simon Rank #251

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #251 for Simon.

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

Simon ___

  • Simon James
  • Simon Thomas
  • Simon George
  • Simon Peter
  • Simon Alexander
  • Simon Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Simon

James Oliver Sebastian Helena Miriam

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 Simon more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Simon at #251 in the United States.

What do James and Simon mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Simon means "he has heard, God has heard" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Simon boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Simon is primarily a boy name.

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