James vs Lara

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 →

Lara

Girl #740 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bay laurel (victory)"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Russian Italian Spanish English German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#740
Total SSA Count
379
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lara →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lara Rank #740

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #740 for Lara.

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

Lara ___

  • Lara Jane
  • Lara Rose
  • Lara Grace
  • Lara Belle
  • Lara Kate
  • Lara Anne

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lara

Sasha Natasha Ivan Mira Vera

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 Lara more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lara at #740 in the United States.

What do James and Lara mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lara means "bay laurel (victory)" (Latin origin).

Are James and Lara boy or girl names?

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

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