James vs Lisa

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 →

Lisa

Girl #987 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledged to God, my God is an oath"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English German Italian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#987
Total SSA Count
262
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lis, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lisa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lisa Rank #987

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #987 for Lisa.

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

Lisa ___

  • Lisa Marie
  • Lisa Ann
  • Lisa Grace
  • Lisa Nicole
  • Lisa Renee
  • Lisa Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lisa

Jennifer Karen Michael David Amy

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 Lisa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lisa at #987 in the United States.

What do James and Lisa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lisa means "pledged to God, my God is an oath" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Lisa boy or girl names?

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

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