James vs Rye

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
Rye Rank #2,432

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #2432 for Rye.

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

Rye ___

  • Rye James
  • Rye Alexander
  • Rye Bennett
  • Rye Oliver
  • Rye Sawyer
  • Rye August

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Rye

Juniper Sage Oak Wren Fox

Which Name Fits Your Family?

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1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Rye more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Rye at #2432 in the United States.

What do James and Rye mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Rye means "rye grain" (Old English origin).

Are James and Rye boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Rye is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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