Clare vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clare

Girl #950 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"bright, clear, famous"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish French Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#950
Total SSA Count
276
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Clary

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clare →

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

Clare Rank #950
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #950 for Clare.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clare ___

  • Clare Marie
  • Clare Elizabeth
  • Clare Anne
  • Clare Rose
  • Clare Josephine
  • Clare Frances

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 Clare

Margaret Eleanor Thomas Henry Cecily

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 Clare or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clare at #950 in the United States.

What do Clare and James mean?

Clare means "bright, clear, famous" (Latin origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clare and James boy or girl names?

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

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