Ada vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ada

Girl #193 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"noble, nobility"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German Italian Turkish Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#193
Total SSA Count
1,563
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ada →

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

Ada Rank #193
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #193 for Ada.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ada ___

  • Ada Rose
  • Ada Louise
  • Ada Grace
  • Ada Jane
  • Ada Pearl
  • Ada Claire

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ada

Iris Violet Hazel Felix Oscar

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

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 Ada or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ada at #193 in the United States.

What do Ada and James mean?

Ada means "noble, nobility" (Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ada and James boy or girl names?

Ada is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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