Glenn vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Glenn

Boy #1,366 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"valley, narrow glen"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,366
Total SSA Count
138
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Gle, Gly, Glie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Glenn →

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

Glenn Rank #1,366
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1366 for Glenn.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Glenn ___

  • Glenn Michael
  • Glenn Robert
  • Glenn Thomas
  • Glenn Alan
  • Glenn David
  • Glenn Patrick

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 Glenn

Craig Scott Donna Linda Bruce

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 Glenn or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Glenn at #1366 in the United States.

What do Glenn and James mean?

Glenn means "valley, narrow glen" (Scottish Gaelic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Glenn and James boy or girl names?

Glenn is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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