Flynn vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Flynn

Boy #738 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"son of the red-haired one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish English Australian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#738
Total SSA Count
351
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Fly, Flie, Flykins

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Flynn →

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

Flynn Rank #738
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #738 for Flynn.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Flynn ___

  • Flynn William
  • Flynn Thomas
  • Flynn James
  • Flynn Alexander
  • Flynn Reid
  • Flynn Patrick

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 Flynn

Finn Declan Callum Rory Nora

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 Flynn or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Flynn at #738 in the United States.

What do Flynn and James mean?

Flynn means "son of the red-haired one" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Flynn and James boy or girl names?

Flynn is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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