James vs Raylan

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 →

Raylan

Boy #717 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ray of light, bright counsel"

Origin: Old English rǣd + land

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#717
Total SSA Count
368
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ray

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raylan →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Raylan Rank #717

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #717 for Raylan.

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

Raylan ___

  • Raylan James
  • Raylan Cole
  • Raylan Scott
  • Raylan Dale
  • Raylan Wayne
  • Raylan Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Raylan

Waylon Wyatt Sawyer Ember Lena

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 Raylan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Raylan at #717 in the United States.

What do James and Raylan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Raylan means "ray of light, bright counsel" (Old English rǣd + land origin).

Are James and Raylan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Raylan is primarily a boy name.

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