James vs Yates

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 →

Yates

Boy #5,699 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"gatekeeper, one who lives by the gates"

Origin: Middle English

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,699
Total SSA Count
16
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Yat, Yay, Yaie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Yates →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Yates Rank #5,699

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5699 for Yates.

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

Yates ___

  • Yates James
  • Yates William
  • Yates Cole
  • Yates Thomas
  • Yates Henry
  • Yates Oliver

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Yates

Rhodes Sutton Beckett Piper Greer

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 Yates more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Yates at #5699 in the United States.

What do James and Yates mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Yates means "gatekeeper, one who lives by the gates" (Middle English origin).

Are James and Yates boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Yates is primarily a boy name.

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