Berl 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

Berl Rank #5,296
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5296 for Berl.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Berl ___

  • Berl Aaron
  • Berl David
  • Berl Isaac
  • Berl Nathan
  • Berl Samuel
  • Berl Ezra

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 Berl

Shloyme Mendel Rivka Gittel Faivel

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 Berl or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Berl at #5296 in the United States.

What do Berl and James mean?

Berl means "bear" (Yiddish / Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Berl and James boy or girl names?

Berl is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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