James vs Sumner

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 →

Sumner

Boy #6,673 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"summoner, one who calls forth"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#6,673
Total SSA Count
13
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sum, Sonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Sumner →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Sumner Rank #6,673

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #6673 for Sumner.

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

Sumner ___

  • Sumner James
  • Sumner Cole
  • Sumner Lee
  • Sumner Blake
  • Sumner Reid
  • Sumner Hayes

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sumner

Fletcher Holden Brooks Sloane Hadley

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 Sumner more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sumner at #6673 in the United States.

What do James and Sumner mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Sumner means "summoner, one who calls forth" (Old French origin).

Are James and Sumner boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sumner is primarily a boy name.

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