James vs Marissa

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 →

Marissa

Girl #1,496 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, variant of Maria"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

American English Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,496
Total SSA Count
145
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rissa, Mari, Marri

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Marissa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Marissa Rank #1,496

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1496 for Marissa.

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

Marissa ___

  • Marissa Anne
  • Marissa Lynn
  • Marissa Grace
  • Marissa Elizabeth
  • Marissa Nicole
  • Marissa Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Marissa

Melissa Vanessa Cassandra Jessica Brandon

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 Marissa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Marissa at #1496 in the United States.

What do James and Marissa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Marissa means "beloved, variant of Maria" (Latin origin).

Are James and Marissa boy or girl names?

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

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