Elias vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Elias

Boy #25 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"the Lord is my God"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Greek Scandinavian German Spanish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#25
Total SSA Count
7,653
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Eli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Elias →

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

Elias Rank #25
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #25 for Elias.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Elias ___

  • Elias James
  • Elias Cole
  • Elias Thomas
  • Elias Grey
  • Elias River
  • Elias John

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 Elias

Ezra Tobias Iris Silas Clara

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 Elias or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Elias at #25 in the United States.

What do Elias and James mean?

Elias means "the Lord is my God" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Elias and James boy or girl names?

Elias is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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