Clifford 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

Clifford Rank #1,343
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1343 for Clifford.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clifford ___

  • Clifford James
  • Clifford Thomas
  • Clifford Edward
  • Clifford Henry
  • Clifford Lee
  • Clifford Alan

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 Clifford

Dorothy Clarence Beatrice Walter Mildred

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 Clifford or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clifford at #1343 in the United States.

What do Clifford and James mean?

Clifford means "dweller by the cliff ford" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clifford and James boy or girl names?

Clifford is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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