James vs Yaakov

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 →

Yaakov

Boy #980 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"may God protect (alternative interpretation)"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Israeli Ashkenazi

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#980
Total SSA Count
230
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Yankel, Kovi, Yankee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Yaakov →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Yaakov Rank #980

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #980 for Yaakov.

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

Yaakov ___

  • Yaakov Moshe
  • Yaakov David
  • Yaakov Yitzchak
  • Yaakov Aaron
  • Yaakov Benjamin

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Yaakov

Rachel Leah Miriam Moshe Yosef

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 Yaakov more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Yaakov at #980 in the United States.

What do James and Yaakov mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Yaakov means "may God protect (alternative interpretation)" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Yaakov boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Yaakov is primarily a boy name.

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