Carlyle 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

Carlyle Rank #5,906
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5906 for Carlyle.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carlyle ___

  • Carlyle James
  • Carlyle Edward
  • Carlyle Thomas
  • Carlyle William
  • Carlyle Robert
  • Carlyle Stuart

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 Carlyle

Montgomery Prescott Fletcher Wentworth Astrid

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 Carlyle or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Carlyle at #5906 in the United States.

What do Carlyle and James mean?

Carlyle means "from the fortified city" (Old Welsh via English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Carlyle and James boy or girl names?

Carlyle is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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