| James | Michael | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Supplanter | Who is like God? |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JAYMZ | MY-kul |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (94,767) | 1957 (92,781) |
| In 2025 | 11,945 | 8,094 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | James | Michael |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 72,523 | 52,631 |
| 2010s | 139,689 | 145,220 |
| 2000s | 163,179 | 250,715 |
| 1990s | 244,980 | 462,466 |
| 1980s | 356,491 | 663,807 |
| 1970s | 444,713 | 707,327 |
| 1960s | 684,722 | 833,092 |
| 1950s | 843,768 | 837,471 |
| 1940s | 795,775 | 336,568 |
| 1930s | 547,479 | 56,001 |
| 1920s | 515,301 | 37,893 |
| 1910s | 275,070 | 30,858 |
| 1900s | 62,170 | 5,220 |
| 1890s | 50,723 | 3,926 |
| 1880s | 54,055 | 3,558 |
James descends, through Latin Iacomus, from the Hebrew Yaʿaqov (Jacob), traditionally read as “supplanter” or “one who follows.” It has been borne by kings and two apostles.
Michael comes from the Hebrew rhetorical question mi-ka-el, “Who is like God?” Michael is named in scripture as an archangel, and the name has been a perennial favourite for boys across the Christian world.
James is more popular than Michael today: about 11,945 US babies were given the name James in 2025, compared with 8,094 named Michael.
James means Supplanter (Hebrew origin), while Michael means Who is like God? (Hebrew origin).
In US records, James first appears in 1880 and Michael in 1880, so James has the longer recorded history.