James vs Tessa

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Tessa Rank #303

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #303 for Tessa.

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

Tessa ___

  • Tessa Marie
  • Tessa Grace
  • Tessa Rose
  • Tessa Elaine
  • Tessa Louise
  • Tessa Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Tessa

Finn Luca Clara Nora Milo

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 Tessa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Tessa at #303 in the United States.

What do James and Tessa mean?

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

Are James and Tessa boy or girl names?

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

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