James vs Merrick

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 →

Merrick

Boy #1,219 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ruler of the sea"

Origin: Welsh (Meurig)

Cultural Roots

Welsh English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,219
Total SSA Count
165
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Merry, Rick

Playground Safety Score

8 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme_pattern, :severity=>:low, :message=>"'Merrick' ending sounds like 'sick/thick/dick'"}

Full profile for Merrick →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Merrick Rank #1,219

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1219 for Merrick.

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

Merrick ___

  • Merrick James
  • Merrick Cole
  • Merrick Lane
  • Merrick Owen
  • Merrick Bowen
  • Merrick Grey

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Merrick

Rowan Griffin Emrys Bronwen Carys

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 Merrick more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Merrick at #1219 in the United States.

What do James and Merrick mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Merrick means "ruler of the sea" (Welsh (Meurig) origin).

Are James and Merrick boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Merrick is primarily a boy name.

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