Emily vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Emily

Girl #25 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"from the Aemilius family"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English American French German Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#25
Total SSA Count
5,955
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy, Millie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emily →

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

Emily Rank #25
James Rank #5

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

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emily ___

  • Emily Rose
  • Emily Grace
  • Emily Claire
  • Emily Jane
  • Emily Anne
  • Emily 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 Emily

Ethan Noah Sophie Lily William

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 Emily or James more popular?

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

What do Emily and James mean?

Emily means "from the Aemilius family" (Latin origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Emily and James boy or girl names?

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

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