James vs Sylvester

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
Sylvester Rank #2,106

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2106 for Sylvester.

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

Sylvester ___

  • Sylvester James
  • Sylvester Thomas
  • Sylvester Lee
  • Sylvester Ray
  • Sylvester Dean
  • Sylvester Paul

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sylvester

Cornelius Leopold Augusta Theodora Ignatius

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 Sylvester more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sylvester at #2106 in the United States.

What do James and Sylvester mean?

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

Are James and Sylvester boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sylvester is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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