James vs Terrence

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 →

Terrence

Boy #1,525 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"from the Roman gens Terentia"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish African American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,525
Total SSA Count
116
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Terry, Tee, Rence

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Terrence →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Terrence Rank #1,525

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1525 for Terrence.

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

Terrence ___

  • Terrence James
  • Terrence Michael
  • Terrence Wayne
  • Terrence Eugene
  • Terrence Louis
  • Terrence Andre

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Terrence

Derrick Marcus Rodney Tamara Shanice

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 Terrence more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Terrence at #1525 in the United States.

What do James and Terrence mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Terrence means "from the Roman gens Terentia" (Latin origin).

Are James and Terrence boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Terrence is primarily a boy name.

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