James vs Rufus

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 →

Rufus

Boy #4,188 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"red-haired, auburn-haired"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English American Ancient Roman European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,188
Total SSA Count
26
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rufe, Rue

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rufus →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Rufus Rank #4,188

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4188 for Rufus.

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

Rufus ___

  • Rufus James
  • Rufus Henry
  • Rufus George
  • Rufus Arthur
  • Rufus Thomas
  • Rufus William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rufus

Archie Clementine Bertie Eugenie Wilfred

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 Rufus more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rufus at #4188 in the United States.

What do James and Rufus mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rufus means "red-haired, auburn-haired" (Latin origin).

Are James and Rufus boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rufus is primarily a boy name.

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