James vs Tai

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 →

Tai

Boy #2,404 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"great, supreme, exalted"

Origin: Chinese

Cultural Roots

Chinese Vietnamese Thai Welsh American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,404
Total SSA Count
58
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tai →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Tai Rank #2,404

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2404 for Tai.

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

Tai ___

  • Tai James
  • Tai Lee
  • Tai Michael
  • Tai Ryan
  • Tai Alexander
  • Tai Jordan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Tai

Kai Mei Zara Kira Jax

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 Tai more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Tai at #2404 in the United States.

What do James and Tai mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Tai means "great, supreme, exalted" (Chinese origin).

Are James and Tai boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Tai is primarily a boy name.

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