Boris vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Boris

Boy #3,374 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"battle glory"

Origin: Proto-Slavic

Cultural Roots

Russian Bulgarian Eastern European British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,374
Total SSA Count
35
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Borya

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Boris →

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

Boris Rank #3,374
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3374 for Boris.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Boris ___

  • Boris Alexander
  • Boris Nikolai
  • Boris Ivan
  • Boris Dmitri
  • Boris Alexei
  • Boris Victor

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Boris

Natasha Olga Sasha Dmitri Katya

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

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 Boris or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Boris at #3374 in the United States.

What do Boris and James mean?

Boris means "battle glory" (Proto-Slavic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Boris and James boy or girl names?

Boris is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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