Iris vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Iris

Girl #71 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rainbow"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek English Dutch American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#71
Total SSA Count
3,124
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Iris →

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

Iris Rank #71
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #71 for Iris.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Iris ___

  • Iris Mae
  • Iris Louise
  • Iris Violet
  • Iris June
  • Iris Claire
  • Iris Elaine

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 Iris

Ivy Flora Violet Arthur Felix

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 Iris or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Iris at #71 in the United States.

What do Iris and James mean?

Iris means "rainbow" (Ancient Greek origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Iris and James boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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