James vs Zebedee

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 →

Zebedee

Boy #3,226 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,226
Total SSA Count
37
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Zeb, Zee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Zebedee →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Zebedee Rank #3,226

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3226 for Zebedee.

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

Zebedee ___

  • Zebedee James
  • Zebedee John
  • Zebedee Luke
  • Zebedee Eli
  • Zebedee Thomas
  • Zebedee Noah

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Zebedee

Bartholomew Thaddeus Matthias Salome Miriam

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 Zebedee more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Zebedee at #3226 in the United States.

What do James and Zebedee mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Zebedee means "gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Zebedee boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Zebedee is primarily a boy name.

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