Cy vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cy

Boy #2,349 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"sun, shepherd"

Origin: Old Persian (via Cyrus)

Cultural Roots

American Western Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,349
Total SSA Count
60
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cy →

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

Cy Rank #2,349
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2349 for Cy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cy ___

  • Cy James
  • Cy Morgan
  • Cy Lee
  • Cy Dean
  • Cy Ray
  • Cy Grant

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 Cy

Beau Rex Axel June Nova

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 Cy or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cy at #2349 in the United States.

What do Cy and James mean?

Cy means "sun, shepherd" (Old Persian (via Cyrus) origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Cy and James boy or girl names?

Cy is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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