James vs Van

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 →

Van

Boy #909 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"of, from (Dutch)"

Origin: Dutch

Cultural Roots

Dutch Vietnamese American Belgian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#909
Total SSA Count
257
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Van →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Van Rank #909

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #909 for Van.

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

Van ___

  • Van Morrison
  • Van Lee
  • Van James
  • Van Halen
  • Van Gogh
  • Van Allen

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Van

Rex Max Leo Ace Iris

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 Van more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Van at #909 in the United States.

What do James and Van mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Van means "of, from (Dutch)" (Dutch origin).

Are James and Van boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Van is primarily a boy name.

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