James vs Torben

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 →

Torben

Boy #4,529 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Thor's bear"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

Danish Norwegian Swedish German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,529
Total SSA Count
23
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tor

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Torben →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Torben Rank #4,529

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4529 for Torben.

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

Torben ___

  • Torben Erik
  • Torben Lars
  • Torben Karl
  • Torben Mikkel
  • Torben Sven

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Torben

Soren Viggo Astrid Freya Bjorn

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 Torben more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Torben at #4529 in the United States.

What do James and Torben mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Torben means "Thor's bear" (Old Norse origin).

Are James and Torben boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Torben is primarily a boy name.

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