James vs Varney

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
Varney Rank #20,393

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #20393 for Varney.

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

Varney ___

  • Varney James
  • Varney Hugh
  • Varney Thomas
  • Varney William
  • Varney Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Varney

Percy Cecil Mabel Viola

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 Varney more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Varney at #20393 in the United States.

What do James and Varney mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Varney means "from the alder grove" (Old French origin).

Are James and Varney boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Varney is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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