James vs Terry

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 →

Terry

Boy #1,187 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"power of the tribe"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,187
Total SSA Count
174
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ter

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Terry →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Terry Rank #1,187

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1187 for Terry.

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

Terry ___

  • Terry James
  • Terry Michael
  • Terry Lee
  • Terry Wayne
  • Terry Allen
  • Terry Ray

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Terry

Jerry Bobby Jimmy Carrie Debbie

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 Terry more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Terry at #1187 in the United States.

What do James and Terry mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Terry means "power of the tribe" (Germanic origin).

Are James and Terry boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Terry is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Terry vs James James vs Dean James vs Walker James vs Luca James vs Matthew
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Terry Browse all baby names