James vs Sydney

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 →

Sydney

Girl #288 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wide island; broad river-island"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#288
Total SSA Count
1,097
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Syd, Sid

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Sydney →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Sydney Rank #288

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #288 for Sydney.

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

Sydney ___

  • Sydney Rae
  • Sydney Grace
  • Sydney Marie
  • Sydney Ann
  • Sydney Paige
  • Sydney Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sydney

Savannah Brooklyn Quinn Riley Parker

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 Sydney more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sydney at #288 in the United States.

What do James and Sydney mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Sydney means "wide island; broad river-island" (Old English origin).

Are James and Sydney boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sydney is primarily a girl name.

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