James vs Lily

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 →

Lily

Girl #24 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"lily flower, purity"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Irish French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#24
Total SSA Count
6,093
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Lil

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lily →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lily Rank #24

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #24 for Lily.

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

Lily ___

  • Lily Grace
  • Lily Anne
  • Lily Rose
  • Lily Jane
  • Lily Mae
  • Lily Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lily

Oliver Violet Jack Iris Jasper

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 Lily more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lily at #24 in the United States.

What do James and Lily mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lily means "lily flower, purity" (Old English origin).

Are James and Lily boy or girl names?

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

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