James vs Wilber

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 →

Wilber

Boy #4,254 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"resolute, brilliant"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,254
Total SSA Count
25
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Will, Wil, Billie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Wilber →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Wilber Rank #4,254

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4254 for Wilber.

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

Wilber ___

  • Wilber James
  • Wilber Thomas
  • Wilber Henry
  • Wilber Lee
  • Wilber Eugene
  • Wilber Franklin

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Wilber

Ethel Mabel Clarence Bessie Orville

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 Wilber more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Wilber at #4254 in the United States.

What do James and Wilber mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Wilber means "resolute, brilliant" (Germanic origin).

Are James and Wilber boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Wilber is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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