James vs Lyon

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
Lyon Rank #1,890

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1890 for Lyon.

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

Lyon ___

  • Lyon James
  • Lyon Alexander
  • Lyon Thomas
  • Lyon William
  • Lyon Cole
  • Lyon Reid

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lyon

Sienna Paris Rowan Celeste Austen

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 Lyon more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lyon at #1890 in the United States.

What do James and Lyon mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lyon means "lion" (French/Latin origin).

Are James and Lyon boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Lyon is primarily a boy name.

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