James vs Wilson

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 →

Wilson

Boy #645 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"son of Will (William)"

Origin: Middle English patronymic

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#645
Total SSA Count
431
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Will, Wil

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Wilson →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Wilson Rank #645

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #645 for Wilson.

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

Wilson ___

  • Wilson James
  • Wilson Lee
  • Wilson Gray
  • Wilson Cole
  • Wilson Scott
  • Wilson Hayes

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Wilson

Harrison Emerson Waverly Fletcher Adelaide

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 Wilson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Wilson at #645 in the United States.

What do James and Wilson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Wilson means "son of Will (William)" (Middle English patronymic origin).

Are James and Wilson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Wilson is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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