James vs Rory

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 →

Rory

Boy #226 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"red king, famous ruler"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#226
Total SSA Count
1,594
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rory →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rory Rank #226

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #226 for Rory.

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

Rory ___

  • Rory James
  • Rory Patrick
  • Rory Thomas
  • Rory Owen
  • Rory Finn
  • Rory Declan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rory

Finn Declan Maeve Siobhan Kieran

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 Rory more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rory at #226 in the United States.

What do James and Rory mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rory means "red king, famous ruler" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Rory boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rory is primarily a boy name.

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