James vs Leila

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 →

Leila

Girl #267 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"night, dark beauty"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic Persian Turkish Hebrew South Asian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#267
Total SSA Count
1,191
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lei, Lay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Leila →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Leila Rank #267

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #267 for Leila.

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

Leila ___

  • Leila Grace
  • Leila Marie
  • Leila Rose
  • Leila Sophia
  • Leila Anne
  • Leila Jade

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Leila

Zara Yasmin Nadia Omar Karim

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 Leila more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Leila at #267 in the United States.

What do James and Leila mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Leila means "night, dark beauty" (Arabic origin).

Are James and Leila boy or girl names?

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

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