James vs Karla

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 →

Karla

Girl #730 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"free woman"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Spanish Czech Polish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#730
Total SSA Count
385
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kar, Karly, Karlie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Karla →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Karla Rank #730

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #730 for Karla.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Karla ___

  • Karla Marie
  • Karla Ann
  • Karla Jean
  • Karla Rose
  • Karla Lynn
  • Karla Renée

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Karla

Klaus Gregor Ingrid Ursula Stefan

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 James or Karla more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Karla at #730 in the United States.

What do James and Karla mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Karla means "free woman" (Germanic origin).

Are James and Karla boy or girl names?

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

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