James vs Wells

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 →

Wells

Boy #377 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"one who lives near the wells or springs"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#377
Total SSA Count
865
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Wel, Wey, Weie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Wells →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Wells Rank #377

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #377 for Wells.

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

Wells ___

  • Wells Harrison
  • Wells Andrew
  • Wells James
  • Wells Michael
  • Wells Thomas
  • Wells Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Wells

Brooks Hayes Greer Parker 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 Wells more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Wells at #377 in the United States.

What do James and Wells mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Wells means "one who lives near the wells or springs" (Old English origin).

Are James and Wells boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Wells is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Wells vs James James vs Kayden James vs Tucker James vs Jacob James vs Ethan
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Wells Browse all baby names