Cleve 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

Popularity Comparison

Cleve Rank #35,448
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #35448 for Cleve.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cleve ___

No pairings available yet.

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 Cleve

No sibling data available yet.

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 Cleve or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Cleve at #35448 in the United States.

What do Cleve and James mean?

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

Are Cleve and James boy or girl names?

Cleve is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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