Clarke vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clarke

Girl #1,872 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"scribe, secretary, scholar"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,872
Total SSA Count
107
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Cla, Clar, Clary

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clarke →

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

Clarke Rank #1,872
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1872 for Clarke.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clarke ___

  • Clarke Rose
  • Clarke Jane
  • Clarke Anne
  • Clarke Louise
  • Clarke Quinn
  • Clarke Wren

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 Clarke

Blake Quinn Sloane Hayes Greer

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 Clarke or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clarke at #1872 in the United States.

What do Clarke and James mean?

Clarke means "scribe, secretary, scholar" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clarke and James boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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