Cillian 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
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

Cillian Rank #464
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #464 for Cillian.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cillian ___

  • Cillian James
  • Cillian Patrick
  • Cillian Michael
  • Cillian Finn
  • Cillian Declan
  • Cillian Joseph

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 Cillian

Declan Finn Conor Siobhan Saoirse

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 Cillian or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cillian at #464 in the United States.

What do Cillian and James mean?

Cillian means "strife, war" (Old Irish origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cillian and James boy or girl names?

Cillian is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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