James vs Murphy

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
Murphy Rank #475

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #475 for Murphy.

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

Murphy ___

  • Murphy Jane
  • Murphy Rose
  • Murphy Claire
  • Murphy Elizabeth
  • Murphy Kate
  • Murphy Lou

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Murphy

Finn Rory Nora Rafferty Clover

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 Murphy more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Murphy at #475 in the United States.

What do James and Murphy mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Murphy means "sea warrior" (Irish origin).

Are James and Murphy boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

Murphy vs James James vs William James vs Luke James vs Oliver James vs Amari
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Murphy Browse all baby names