James vs Karissa

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 →

Karissa

Girl #2,663 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"grace, kindness"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,663
Total SSA Count
65
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kari, Rissa, Kris

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Karissa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Karissa Rank #2,663

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2663 for Karissa.

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

Karissa ___

  • Karissa Lynn
  • Karissa Marie
  • Karissa Anne
  • Karissa Grace
  • Karissa Nicole
  • Karissa Dawn

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Karissa

Marissa Brianna Ryan Tyler Melissa

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 Karissa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Karissa at #2663 in the United States.

What do James and Karissa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Karissa means "grace, kindness" (Greek origin).

Are James and Karissa boy or girl names?

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

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