James vs Lilly

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 →

Lilly

Girl #259 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"lily flower, purity"

Origin: Latin lilium

Cultural Roots

English American German Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#259
Total SSA Count
1,217
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lil

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lilly →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lilly Rank #259

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #259 for Lilly.

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

Lilly ___

  • Lilly Rose
  • Lilly Mae
  • Lilly Grace
  • Lilly Ann
  • Lilly Jane
  • Lilly Beth

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lilly

Violet Daisy Iris Jack Oliver

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 Lilly more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lilly at #259 in the United States.

What do James and Lilly mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lilly means "lily flower, purity" (Latin lilium origin).

Are James and Lilly boy or girl names?

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

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