Clifton 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

Clifton Rank #1,756
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1756 for Clifton.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clifton ___

  • Clifton James
  • Clifton Earl
  • Clifton Lee
  • Clifton Ray
  • Clifton Wayne
  • Clifton Douglas

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 Clifton

Randolph Wendell Gloria Shirley Douglas

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 Clifton or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Clifton at #1756 in the United States.

What do Clifton and James mean?

Clifton means "cliff settlement" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clifton and James boy or girl names?

Clifton is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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