James vs Ray

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
Ray Rank #777

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #777 for Ray.

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

Ray ___

  • Ray Charles
  • Ray William
  • Ray Allen
  • Ray James
  • Ray Thomas
  • Ray Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Ray

June Mae Jack Leo Pearl

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 Ray more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ray at #777 in the United States.

What do James and Ray mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Ray means "wise protector" (Germanic origin).

Are James and Ray boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Ray is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Ray vs James James vs Isaiah James vs Jack James vs Daniel James vs Wesley
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Ray Browse all baby names