James vs Linus

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 →

Linus

Boy #1,423 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"flax, flaxen-haired"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Scandinavian German English American Finnish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,423
Total SSA Count
129
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lin, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Linus →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Linus Rank #1,423

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1423 for Linus.

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

Linus ___

  • Linus James
  • Linus August
  • Linus Theodore
  • Linus Oliver
  • Linus Felix
  • Linus Hugo

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Linus

Snoopy Charlie Lucy Schroeder Violet

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 Linus more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Linus at #1423 in the United States.

What do James and Linus mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Linus means "flax, flaxen-haired" (Greek origin).

Are James and Linus boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Linus is primarily a boy name.

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