James vs Wake

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 →

Wake

Boy #5,833 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"watchful, alert, awake"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,833
Total SSA Count
16
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Wake →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Wake Rank #5,833

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5833 for Wake.

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

Wake ___

  • Wake James
  • Wake Alexander
  • Wake Thomas
  • Wake River
  • Wake Elliot

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Wake

Blade River Sage Scout

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 Wake more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Wake at #5833 in the United States.

What do James and Wake mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Wake means "watchful, alert, awake" (Old English origin).

Are James and Wake boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Wake is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Wake vs James James vs Ivan James vs Lincoln James vs Eli James vs Beau
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Wake Browse all baby names