James vs Russel

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
Russel Rank #4,499

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4499 for Russel.

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

Russel ___

  • Russel James
  • Russel William
  • Russel Lee
  • Russel Thomas
  • Russel Alexander
  • Russel Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Russel

Howard Norman Clifford Dorothy Edna

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 Russel more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Russel at #4499 in the United States.

What do James and Russel mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Russel means "red-haired, little red one" (Old French origin).

Are James and Russel boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Russel is primarily a boy name.

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