Clay 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

Clay Rank #544
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #544 for Clay.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clay ___

  • Clay Thomas
  • Clay Allen
  • Clay James
  • Clay Robert
  • Clay Edward
  • Clay Henry

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 Clay

Brock Wade Sawyer Reed Quinn

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 Clay or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clay at #544 in the United States.

What do Clay and James mean?

Clay means "clay settlement, clay worker" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clay and James boy or girl names?

Clay is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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