James vs Lee

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 →

Lee

Boy #715 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"meadow, woodland clearing"

Origin: Old English leah

Cultural Roots

English American Chinese (as Li) Korean

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#715
Total SSA Count
370
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Lee' rhymes with 'pee'"}

Full profile for Lee →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lee Rank #715

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #715 for Lee.

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

Lee ___

  • Lee James
  • Lee Andrew
  • Lee Michael
  • Lee Thomas
  • Lee Roy
  • Lee Wayne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lee

Dale Roy Kay Mae Scott

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 Lee more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lee at #715 in the United States.

What do James and Lee mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lee means "meadow, woodland clearing" (Old English leah origin).

Are James and Lee boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Lee is primarily a boy name.

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