James vs Lesley

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 →

Lesley

Girl #4,093 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"garden of holly"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,093
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Les, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lesley →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Lesley Rank #4,093

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4093 for Lesley.

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

Lesley ___

  • Lesley Ann
  • Lesley Marie
  • Lesley Lynn
  • Lesley Jane
  • Lesley Kay
  • Lesley Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Lesley

Sheila Carolyn Pamela Craig Colin

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 Lesley more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Lesley at #4093 in the United States.

What do James and Lesley mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Lesley means "garden of holly" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Lesley boy or girl names?

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

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