James vs Townsend

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
Townsend Rank #3,983

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3983 for Townsend.

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

Townsend ___

  • Townsend James
  • Townsend Reed
  • Townsend Blake
  • Townsend Cole
  • Townsend Owen
  • Townsend Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Townsend

Emerson Hartley Sutton Preston Bancroft

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 Townsend more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Townsend at #3983 in the United States.

What do James and Townsend mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Townsend means "dweller at the edge of town" (Old English origin).

Are James and Townsend boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Townsend is primarily a boy name.

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