Darryl vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Darryl

Boy #1,803 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from Airelle (Norman place name)"

Origin: Old French/Norman

Cultural Roots

English American African-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,803
Total SSA Count
91
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dar, D

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Darryl →

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

Darryl Rank #1,803
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1803 for Darryl.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Darryl ___

  • Darryl James
  • Darryl Lee
  • Darryl Wayne
  • Darryl Eugene
  • Darryl Ray
  • Darryl Lynn

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 Darryl

Terrell Darnell Marcus Kevin Tonya

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 Darryl or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Darryl at #1803 in the United States.

What do Darryl and James mean?

Darryl means "from Airelle (Norman place name)" (Old French/Norman origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Darryl and James boy or girl names?

Darryl is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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