James vs Tommy

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 →

Tommy

Boy #731 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"twin"

Origin: Aramaic

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#731
Total SSA Count
358
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Tom

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tommy →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Tommy Rank #731

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #731 for Tommy.

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

Tommy ___

  • Tommy James
  • Tommy Lee
  • Tommy Ray
  • Tommy Joe
  • Tommy Dean
  • Tommy Wayne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Tommy

Bobby Jimmy Sammy Danny Frankie

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 Tommy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Tommy at #731 in the United States.

What do James and Tommy mean?

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

Are James and Tommy boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Tommy is primarily a boy name.

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