James vs Tarek

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 →

Tarek

Boy #4,151 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"morning star, night visitor"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic Muslim North African Middle Eastern

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,151
Total SSA Count
26
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tar, Rek

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tarek →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Tarek Rank #4,151

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4151 for Tarek.

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

Tarek ___

  • Tarek Hassan
  • Tarek Malik
  • Tarek Ahmed
  • Tarek Omar
  • Tarek Yusuf
  • Tarek Samir

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Tarek

Sami Nadia Layla Omar Yasmine

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 Tarek more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Tarek at #4151 in the United States.

What do James and Tarek mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Tarek means "morning star, night visitor" (Arabic origin).

Are James and Tarek boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Tarek is primarily a boy name.

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