James vs Rio

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
Rio Rank #517

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #517 for Rio.

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

Rio ___

  • Rio James
  • Rio Alexander
  • Rio Sebastian
  • Rio Marcus
  • Rio Cruz
  • Rio Blue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rio

Finn Kai Luna Isla Milo

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 Rio more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rio at #517 in the United States.

What do James and Rio mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rio means "river" (Spanish/Portuguese origin).

Are James and Rio boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rio is primarily a boy name.

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