James vs Shirlee

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

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shirlee Rank #29,038

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #29038 for Shirlee.

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

Shirlee ___

  • Shirlee James
  • Shirlee Ray
  • Shirlee Dean
  • Shirlee Wayne
  • Shirlee Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shirlee

Shirley Marley Harley Bradley

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 Shirlee more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shirlee at #29038 in the United States.

What do James and Shirlee mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shirlee means "bright meadow, shire clearing" (Old English origin).

Are James and Shirlee boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Shirlee is primarily a boy name.

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