Cullen vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cullen

Boy #1,131 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"at the holly trees"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,131
Total SSA Count
187
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cull, Cully

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cullen →

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

Cullen Rank #1,131
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1131 for Cullen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cullen ___

  • Cullen James
  • Cullen Patrick
  • Cullen Thomas
  • Cullen Edward
  • Cullen Michael
  • Cullen Reid

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 Cullen

Emmett Jasper Alice Rosalie Esme

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 Cullen or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cullen at #1131 in the United States.

What do Cullen and James mean?

Cullen means "at the holly trees" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cullen and James boy or girl names?

Cullen is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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