Clark vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clark

Boy #438 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"clerk, scribe, secretary"

Origin: Old English/Old French

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#438
Total SSA Count
725
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cla, Cly, Clie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clark →

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

Clark Rank #438
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #438 for Clark.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clark ___

  • Clark James
  • Clark Henry
  • Clark William
  • Clark Reid
  • Clark Thomas
  • Clark Joseph

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 Clark

Fletcher Greer Avery Brooks Sutton

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 Clark or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clark at #438 in the United States.

What do Clark and James mean?

Clark means "clerk, scribe, secretary" (Old English/Old French origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clark and James boy or girl names?

Clark is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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