Barley vs James

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

Barley Rank #24,885
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #24885 for Barley.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barley ___

  • Barley James
  • Barley Fox
  • Barley Reed
  • Barley Stone
  • Barley Finn
  • Barley 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 Barley

Rye Sage Hazel Oat Clover

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 Barley or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Barley at #24885 in the United States.

What do Barley and James mean?

Barley means "barley grain, of the barley field" (Old English baerlic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Barley and James boy or girl names?

Barley is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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