James vs Russell

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 →

Russell

Boy #368 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"red-haired, little red one"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

English Scottish American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#368
Total SSA Count
892
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Russ, Rusty

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Russell →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Russell Rank #368

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #368 for Russell.

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

Russell ___

  • Russell James
  • Russell Thomas
  • Russell Lee
  • Russell Wayne
  • Russell Scott
  • Russell Allen

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Russell

Gordon Douglas Wendy Sharon Alan

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 Russell more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Russell at #368 in the United States.

What do James and Russell mean?

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

Are James and Russell boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Russell is primarily a boy name.

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