Essex vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Essex

Boy #5,603 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"land of the East Saxons"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,603
Total SSA Count
17
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Es, Ess

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Essex →

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

Essex Rank #5,603
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5603 for Essex.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Essex ___

  • Essex James
  • Essex William
  • Essex Cole
  • Essex Grant
  • Essex Lane

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 Essex

Berkley Kent Surrey Devon Avalon

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 Essex or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Essex at #5603 in the United States.

What do Essex and James mean?

Essex means "land of the East Saxons" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Essex and James boy or girl names?

Essex is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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