James vs Murray

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 →

Murray

Boy #2,744 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"lord of the sea"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,744
Total SSA Count
48
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mur

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Murray →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Murray Rank #2,744

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2744 for Murray.

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

Murray ___

  • Murray James
  • Murray William
  • Murray Alexander
  • Murray Ross
  • Murray Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Murray

Angus Hamish Fraser Catriona Fiona

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 Murray more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Murray at #2744 in the United States.

What do James and Murray mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Murray means "lord of the sea" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Murray boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Murray is primarily a boy name.

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