James vs Molly

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 →

Molly

Girl #208 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"star of the sea"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#208
Total SSA Count
1,465
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Mol, Mols

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Molly →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Molly Rank #208

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #208 for Molly.

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

Molly ___

  • Molly Grace
  • Molly Rose
  • Molly Kate
  • Molly Ann
  • Molly Jane
  • Molly Beth

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Molly

Maggie Nora Bridget Finn Declan

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 Molly more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Molly at #208 in the United States.

What do James and Molly mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Molly means "star of the sea" (Hebrew via Latin origin).

Are James and Molly boy or girl names?

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

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