Dana vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dana

Girl #1,076 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"judge, arbiter"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew Irish Slavic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,076
Total SSA Count
230
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dan

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Dana →

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

Dana Rank #1,076
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1076 for Dana.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dana ___

  • Dana Marie
  • Dana Lynn
  • Dana Nicole
  • Dana Rose
  • Dana Elizabeth
  • Dana Christine

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 Dana

Lisa Karen Diane Scott Mark

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 Dana or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Dana at #1076 in the United States.

What do Dana and James mean?

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

Are Dana and James boy or girl names?

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

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