Ashley vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ashley

Girl #124 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ash tree woodland clearing"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#124
Total SSA Count
2,231
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ash

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ashley →

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

Ashley Rank #124
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #124 for Ashley.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ashley ___

  • Ashley Grace
  • Ashley Marie
  • Ashley Nicole
  • Ashley Anne
  • Ashley Elizabeth
  • Ashley Lynn

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 Ashley

Brittany Chelsea Tyler Brandon Courtney

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 Ashley or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ashley at #124 in the United States.

What do Ashley and James mean?

Ashley means "ash tree woodland clearing" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ashley and James boy or girl names?

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

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