James vs Lillian

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
Lillian Rank #54

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #54 for Lillian.

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

Lillian ___

  • Lillian Rose
  • Lillian Grace
  • Lillian Mae
  • Lillian Marie
  • Lillian Anne
  • Lillian Jean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lillian

Violet Iris Henry Theodore Eloise

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 Lillian more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lillian at #54 in the United States.

What do James and Lillian mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lillian means "lily flower, pure" (Latin origin).

Are James and Lillian boy or girl names?

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

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