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James vs Ryan

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

James Rank #5
Ryan Rank #87

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #87 for Ryan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Ryan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ryan at #87 in the United States.

What do James and Ryan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin).

Are James and Ryan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Ryan is primarily a boy name.

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