James vs Xerxes

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Xerxes Rank #5,195

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5195 for Xerxes.

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

Xerxes ___

  • Xerxes Alexander
  • Xerxes James
  • Xerxes Leo
  • Xerxes Maximus
  • Xerxes Augustus
  • Xerxes Victor

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Xerxes

Cyrus Darius Artemis Zara Leonidas

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 Xerxes more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Xerxes at #5195 in the United States.

What do James and Xerxes mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Xerxes means "hero among kings" (Old Persian origin).

Are James and Xerxes boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Xerxes is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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