James vs Lena

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 →

Lena

Girl #263 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright, shining light"

Origin: Greek via Helena

Cultural Roots

Greek German Russian Scandinavian English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#263
Total SSA Count
1,211
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lena →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lena Rank #263

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #263 for Lena.

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

Lena ___

  • Lena Rose
  • Lena Grace
  • Lena Marie
  • Lena Claire
  • Lena Jo
  • Lena Pearl

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lena

Otto Stefan Nina Petra Lars

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 Lena more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lena at #263 in the United States.

What do James and Lena mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lena means "bright, shining light" (Greek via Helena origin).

Are James and Lena boy or girl names?

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

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