James vs Ripley

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 →

Ripley

Girl #1,249 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strip-shaped woodland clearing"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,249
Total SSA Count
186
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rip, Ripps

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ripley →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Ripley Rank #1,249

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1249 for Ripley.

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

Ripley ___

  • Ripley Jane
  • Ripley Mae
  • Ripley Scout
  • Ripley Blake
  • Ripley Quinn
  • Ripley Anne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Ripley

Rowan Sloane Archer Scout Harlow

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 Ripley more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ripley at #1249 in the United States.

What do James and Ripley mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Ripley means "strip-shaped woodland clearing" (Old English origin).

Are James and Ripley boy or girl names?

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

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