James vs Waylon

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 →

Waylon

Boy #65 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wayside land, roadside settlement"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American Southern American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#65
Total SSA Count
4,878
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Way

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Waylon →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Waylon Rank #65

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #65 for Waylon.

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

Waylon ___

  • Waylon James
  • Waylon Lee
  • Waylon Ray
  • Waylon Dean
  • Waylon Cole
  • Waylon Scott

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Waylon

Cash Emmett Jolene Hank Dolly

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 Waylon more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Waylon at #65 in the United States.

What do James and Waylon mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Waylon means "wayside land, roadside settlement" (Old English origin).

Are James and Waylon boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Waylon is primarily a boy name.

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