James vs Loretta

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 →

Loretta

Girl #677 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"laurel, victory crown"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Italian American English Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#677
Total SSA Count
422
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Retta, Lori, Lorrie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Loretta →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Loretta Rank #677

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #677 for Loretta.

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

Loretta ___

  • Loretta Mae
  • Loretta Jean
  • Loretta Ann
  • Loretta Lynn
  • Loretta Grace
  • Loretta Sue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Loretta

Rosetta Vera Mabel Darlene Clifford

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 Loretta more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Loretta at #677 in the United States.

What do James and Loretta mean?

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

Are James and Loretta boy or girl names?

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

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