Hilary vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Hilary

Girl #4,118 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"cheerful, merry, joyful"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,118
Total SSA Count
35
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hil, Hill

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Hilary →

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

Hilary Rank #4,118
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4118 for Hilary.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hilary ___

  • Hilary Anne
  • Hilary Jane
  • Hilary Clare
  • Hilary Rose
  • Hilary Grace
  • Hilary Marie

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 Hilary

Mallory Avery Ellery Bradley Courtney

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 Hilary or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Hilary at #4118 in the United States.

What do Hilary and James mean?

Hilary means "cheerful, merry, joyful" (Latin origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Hilary and James boy or girl names?

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

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