James vs Val

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
Val Rank #5,582

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5582 for Val.

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

Val ___

  • Val James
  • Val Thomas
  • Val Edward
  • Val Henry
  • Val Louis
  • Val Reed

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Val

Cal Max Iris June Nell

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 Val more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Val at #5582 in the United States.

What do James and Val mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Val means "strong, healthy" (Latin origin).

Are James and Val boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Val is primarily a boy name.

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