Irving vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Irving

Boy #1,618 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"green river, fresh water"

Origin: Brythonic Celtic

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American Jewish-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,618
Total SSA Count
105
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Irv, Irvy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Irving →

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

Irving Rank #1,618
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1618 for Irving.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Irving ___

  • Irving Samuel
  • Irving Harold
  • Irving Leonard
  • Irving Bernard
  • Irving Walter
  • Irving Arthur

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 Irving

Milton Howard Sylvia Dorothy Ethel

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 Irving or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Irving at #1618 in the United States.

What do Irving and James mean?

Irving means "green river, fresh water" (Brythonic Celtic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Irving and James boy or girl names?

Irving is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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