James vs Welles

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 →

Welles

Boy #3,522 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"from the spring or well"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,522
Total SSA Count
32
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Wells

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Welles →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Welles Rank #3,522

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3522 for Welles.

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

Welles ___

  • Welles James
  • Welles Henry
  • Welles Thomas
  • Welles Edward
  • Welles Arthur
  • Welles George

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Welles

Arden Monroe Cary Marlowe Bette

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 Welles more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Welles at #3522 in the United States.

What do James and Welles mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Welles means "from the spring or well" (Old English origin).

Are James and Welles boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Welles is primarily a boy name.

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