Gil vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gil

Boy #4,030 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"joy, happiness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Jewish Spanish Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,030
Total SSA Count
27
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Gil →

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

Gil Rank #4,030
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4030 for Gil.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gil ___

  • Gil David
  • Gil James
  • Gil Alexander
  • Gil Thomas
  • Gil Michael
  • Gil Robert

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 Gil

Noa Eli Maya Lior Tamar

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 Gil or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gil at #4030 in the United States.

What do Gil and James mean?

Gil means "joy, happiness" (Hebrew origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gil and James boy or girl names?

Gil is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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