Ella vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ella

Girl #30 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"all, completely"

Origin: Germanic Alia

Cultural Roots

English German Hebrew Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#30
Total SSA Count
5,685
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
El, Ellie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ella →

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

Ella Rank #30
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #30 for Ella.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ella ___

  • Ella Grace
  • Ella Rose
  • Ella Mae
  • Ella Jane
  • Ella Claire
  • Ella Louise

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 Ella

Owen Liam Sophia Nora Oliver

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 Ella or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ella at #30 in the United States.

What do Ella and James mean?

Ella means "all, completely" (Germanic Alia origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ella and James boy or girl names?

Ella is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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