James vs Theodor

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 →

Theodor

Boy #2,097 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Romanian Czech Austrian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,097
Total SSA Count
71
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Theo, Teddy, Teo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Theodor →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Theodor Rank #2,097

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2097 for Theodor.

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

Theodor ___

  • Theodor Klaus
  • Theodor Hans
  • Theodor Friedrich
  • Theodor Wilhelm
  • Theodor Ernst
  • Theodor Karl

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Theodor

Friedrich Maximilian Mathilde Hedwig Hildegard

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 Theodor more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Theodor at #2097 in the United States.

What do James and Theodor mean?

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

Are James and Theodor boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Theodor is primarily a boy name.

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