James vs Jillian

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

James Rank #5
Jillian Rank #1,133

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1133 for Jillian.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Jillian ___

  • Jillian Marie
  • Jillian Ann
  • Jillian Rose
  • Jillian Grace
  • Jillian Elizabeth
  • Jillian Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jillian

Jennifer Michelle Melissa Kevin Brian

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 James or Jillian more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jillian at #1133 in the United States.

What do James and Jillian mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jillian means "youthful" (Latin origin).

Are James and Jillian boy or girl names?

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

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