Carla vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carla

Girl #1,013 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"free man, free woman"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

Italian Spanish German American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,013
Total SSA Count
252
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Carly, Car

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carla →

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

Carla Rank #1,013
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1013 for Carla.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carla ___

  • Carla Marie
  • Carla Ann
  • Carla Rose
  • Carla Grace
  • Carla Louise
  • Carla Jean

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 Carla

Marco Lucia Paolo Sofia Bruno

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 Carla or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Carla at #1013 in the United States.

What do Carla and James mean?

Carla means "free man, free woman" (Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Carla and James boy or girl names?

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

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