Charley 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

Charley Rank #729
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #729 for Charley.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charley ___

  • Charley Rose
  • Charley Mae
  • Charley Jane
  • Charley Ann
  • Charley Grace
  • Charley Belle

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 Charley

Georgie Billie Frankie Freddie Scout

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 Charley or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Charley at #729 in the United States.

What do Charley and James mean?

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

Are Charley and James boy or girl names?

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

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