Elijah 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

Elijah Rank #8
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #8 for Elijah.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Elijah ___

  • Elijah James
  • Elijah Thomas
  • Elijah Alexander
  • Elijah Joseph
  • Elijah Samuel
  • Elijah David

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 Elijah

Noah Isaac Isaiah Olivia Naomi

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 Elijah or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Elijah at #8 in the United States.

What do Elijah and James mean?

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

Are Elijah and James boy or girl names?

Elijah is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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