James vs Rue

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 →

Rue

Girl #1,242 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"herb of grace, regret"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English French American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,242
Total SSA Count
188
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rue →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rue Rank #1,242

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1242 for Rue.

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

Rue ___

  • Rue Elise
  • Rue Violet
  • Rue Winter
  • Rue Iris
  • Rue Sage
  • Rue Aurora

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rue

Zephyr Cleo Jasper Wren Sable

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 Rue more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rue at #1242 in the United States.

What do James and Rue mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rue means "herb of grace, regret" (Old English origin).

Are James and Rue boy or girl names?

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

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