Ida vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ida

Girl #1,143 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"work, labor"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian English Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,143
Total SSA Count
211
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ida →

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

Ida Rank #1,143
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1143 for Ida.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ida ___

  • Ida Mae
  • Ida Rose
  • Ida Claire
  • Ida Louise
  • Ida Pearl
  • Ida Jane

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 Ida

Ada Olive Pearl Otto Jasper

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 Ida or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Ida at #1143 in the United States.

What do Ida and James mean?

Ida means "work, labor" (Germanic origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ida and James boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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