Arlen vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arlen

Boy #1,688 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledge, oath"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,688
Total SSA Count
99
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Arl, Ary, Arie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Arlen →

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

Arlen Rank #1,688
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1688 for Arlen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arlen ___

  • Arlen James
  • Arlen Scott
  • Arlen Ray
  • Arlen Dean
  • Arlen Cole

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 Arlen

Marlowe Harlan Cora Vivian Dale

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 Arlen or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Arlen at #1688 in the United States.

What do Arlen and James mean?

Arlen means "pledge, oath" (Irish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Arlen and James boy or girl names?

Arlen is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

James vs Arlen Arlen vs Akiva Arlen vs Abiel Arlen vs Xion Arlen vs Avion
← Full profile: Arlen ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names