James vs Taraji

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 →

Taraji

Girl #4,265 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"hope, faith"

Origin: Swahili

Cultural Roots

African American East African Swahili-speaking

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,265
Total SSA Count
34
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tara, T, Raji

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Taraji →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Taraji Rank #4,265

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4265 for Taraji.

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

Taraji ___

  • Taraji Nicole
  • Taraji Renee
  • Taraji Marie
  • Taraji Simone
  • Taraji Elise
  • Taraji Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Taraji

Zuri Amara Kwame Imani Jabari

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 Taraji more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Taraji at #4265 in the United States.

What do James and Taraji mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Taraji means "hope, faith" (Swahili origin).

Are James and Taraji boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

Taraji vs James James vs Adam James vs Dawson James vs Bryson James vs Daniel
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Taraji Browse all baby names