Gladys 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

Gladys Rank #3,446
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3446 for Gladys.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gladys ___

  • Gladys Mae
  • Gladys Rose
  • Gladys Jean
  • Gladys Louise
  • Gladys Ann
  • Gladys Marie

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 Gladys

Mabel Ethel Dorothy Clarence Earl

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 Gladys or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Gladys at #3446 in the United States.

What do Gladys and James mean?

Gladys means "country; land" (Welsh origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Gladys and James boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

James vs Gladys Gladys vs Coralie Gladys vs Christy Gladys vs Ariani Gladys vs Jhersi
← Full profile: Gladys ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names