James vs Philip

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
Philip Rank #522

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #522 for Philip.

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

Philip ___

  • Philip James
  • Philip Henry
  • Philip William
  • Philip Edward
  • Philip Alexander
  • Philip Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Philip

Edward Henry Catherine Alexandra George

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 Philip more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Philip at #522 in the United States.

What do James and Philip mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Philip means "lover of horses" (Greek origin).

Are James and Philip boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Philip is primarily a boy name.

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