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Elijah vs James

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

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Elijah Rank #8
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #8 for Elijah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elijah or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Elijah at #8 in the United States.

What do Elijah and James mean?

Elijah means "the Lord is my God" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Elijah and James boy or girl names?

Elijah is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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