Ellery vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ellery

Girl #1,328 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"elder tree island"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,328
Total SSA Count
172
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ellie, El, Elle

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ellery →

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

Ellery Rank #1,328
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1328 for Ellery.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ellery ___

  • Ellery Jane
  • Ellery Mae
  • Ellery Rose
  • Ellery Grace
  • Ellery Ann
  • Ellery Kate

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 Ellery

Avery Emery Hadley Piper Rowan

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 Ellery or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ellery at #1328 in the United States.

What do Ellery and James mean?

Ellery means "elder tree island" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ellery and James boy or girl names?

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

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