James vs Sullivan

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
Sullivan Rank #340

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #340 for Sullivan.

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

Sullivan ___

  • Sullivan James
  • Sullivan Patrick
  • Sullivan Thomas
  • Sullivan Reid
  • Sullivan Finn
  • Sullivan Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sullivan

Finnegan Declan Bridget Nora Callum

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 Sullivan more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sullivan at #340 in the United States.

What do James and Sullivan mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Sullivan boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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