Hadley vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Hadley

Girl #114 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"meadow covered in heather"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#114
Total SSA Count
2,380
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hads, Haddie, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Hadley →

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

Hadley Rank #114
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #114 for Hadley.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hadley ___

  • Hadley Grace
  • Hadley Rose
  • Hadley Jane
  • Hadley Mae
  • Hadley Claire
  • Hadley Frances

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 Hadley

Emerson Finley Everly Crew Westley

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 Hadley or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Hadley at #114 in the United States.

What do Hadley and James mean?

Hadley means "meadow covered in heather" (Old English origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Hadley and James boy or girl names?

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

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