Bristol vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Bristol

Girl #635 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"holy bridge place"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#635
Total SSA Count
463
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Bris, Bri

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Bristol →

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

Bristol Rank #635
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #635 for Bristol.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Bristol ___

  • Bristol Grace
  • Bristol Mae
  • Bristol Lee
  • Bristol Rose
  • Bristol Quinn

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 Bristol

London Devon Savannah Dallas Austin

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 Bristol or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Bristol at #635 in the United States.

What do Bristol and James mean?

Bristol means "holy bridge place" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Bristol and James boy or girl names?

Bristol is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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