James vs Melisa

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 →

Melisa

Girl #3,053 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"sweet as honey"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek Turkish Spanish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,053
Total SSA Count
53
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mel, Lisa

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Melisa →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Melisa Rank #3,053

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3053 for Melisa.

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

Melisa ___

  • Melisa Ann
  • Melisa Grace
  • Melisa Rose
  • Melisa Marie
  • Melisa Lynn

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Melisa

Jessica Stephanie Christina Michael David

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 Melisa more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Melisa at #3053 in the United States.

What do James and Melisa mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Melisa means "sweet as honey" (Greek origin).

Are James and Melisa boy or girl names?

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

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