James vs Ted

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 →

Ted

Boy #2,917 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"gift of God"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,917
Total SSA Count
43
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Teddy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ted →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Ted Rank #2,917

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2917 for Ted.

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

Ted ___

  • Ted James
  • Ted William
  • Ted Alexander
  • Ted Charles
  • Ted Henry
  • Ted Michael

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Ted

Fred Jack Oliver Anna Lucy

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 Ted more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ted at #2917 in the United States.

What do James and Ted mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Ted means "gift of God" (Greek origin).

Are James and Ted boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Ted is primarily a boy name.

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