Clara vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clara

Girl #78 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"famous, illustrious"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English German Italian Spanish Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#78
Total SSA Count
3,060
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Clare, Clar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clara →

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

Clara Rank #78
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #78 for Clara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clara ___

  • Clara June
  • Clara Louise
  • Clara Mae
  • Clara Josephine
  • Clara Elise

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 Clara

Theodore Violet Henry Alice Felix

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 Clara or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clara at #78 in the United States.

What do Clara and James mean?

Clara means "famous, illustrious" (Latin origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clara and James boy or girl names?

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

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