James vs Polly

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 →

Polly

Girl #2,192 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"star of the sea; beloved"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,192
Total SSA Count
86
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Poll, Pol

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Polly →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Polly Rank #2,192

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2192 for Polly.

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

Polly ___

  • Polly Jean
  • Polly Anne
  • Polly Mae
  • Polly Rose
  • Polly Jane
  • Polly Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Polly

Molly Nellie Teddy Archie Lily

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 Polly more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Polly at #2192 in the United States.

What do James and Polly mean?

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

Are James and Polly boy or girl names?

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

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