James vs Usher

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 →

Usher

Boy #2,306 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"doorkeeper, one who ushers"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

English American African-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,306
Total SSA Count
61
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ush

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Usher →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Usher Rank #2,306

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2306 for Usher.

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

Usher ___

  • Usher Raymond
  • Usher James
  • Usher Michael
  • Usher David
  • Usher Lee
  • Usher Terrell

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Usher

Asher Jayden Malik Sasha Aaliyah

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 Usher more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Usher at #2306 in the United States.

What do James and Usher mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Usher means "doorkeeper, one who ushers" (Old French origin).

Are James and Usher boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Usher is primarily a boy name.

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