James vs Sully

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 →

Sully

Boy #3,579 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"descendant of the dark-eyed one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,579
Total SSA Count
32
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Sul

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Sully →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Sully Rank #3,579

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3579 for Sully.

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

Sully ___

  • Sully James
  • Sully Patrick
  • Sully Thomas
  • Sully Michael
  • Sully John
  • Sully Finn

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sully

Finn Declan Liam Nora Maeve

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 Sully more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sully at #3579 in the United States.

What do James and Sully mean?

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

Are James and Sully boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sully is primarily a boy name.

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