James vs Vivian

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
Vivian Rank #77

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #77 for Vivian.

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

Vivian ___

  • Vivian Rose
  • Vivian Grace
  • Vivian Mae
  • Vivian Claire
  • Vivian Elise
  • Vivian Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Vivian

Genevieve Celeste Julian Sebastian 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 Vivian more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Vivian at #77 in the United States.

What do James and Vivian mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Vivian means "alive, lively" (Latin (vivianus) origin).

Are James and Vivian boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Vivian is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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