James vs Zebediah

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
Zebediah Rank #5,750

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5750 for Zebediah.

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

Zebediah ___

  • Zebediah Cole
  • Zebediah James
  • Zebediah Thomas
  • Zebediah Reed
  • Zebediah Grant
  • Zebediah Paul

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Zebediah

Elijah Ezekiel Delilah Jebediah Malachi

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 Zebediah more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Zebediah at #5750 in the United States.

What do James and Zebediah mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Zebediah means "gift of God" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Zebediah boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Zebediah is primarily a boy name.

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