Ellis vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ellis

Boy #273 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"benevolent, kind"

Origin: Welsh from Hebrew Elijah

Cultural Roots

Welsh English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#273
Total SSA Count
1,250
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
El

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ellis →

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

Ellis Rank #273
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #273 for Ellis.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ellis ___

  • Ellis James
  • Ellis Thomas
  • Ellis Reid
  • Ellis Cole
  • Ellis Grant
  • Ellis Finn

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 Ellis

Wren Nora Iris Cora Theo

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 Ellis or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ellis at #273 in the United States.

What do Ellis and James mean?

Ellis means "benevolent, kind" (Welsh from Hebrew Elijah origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ellis and James boy or girl names?

Ellis is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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