James vs Madeleine

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 →

Madeleine

Girl #437 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"woman from Magdala"

Origin: Hebrew via Greek

Cultural Roots

French English German Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#437
Total SSA Count
707
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Maddie, Maddy, Ellie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Madeleine →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Madeleine Rank #437

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #437 for Madeleine.

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

Madeleine ___

  • Madeleine Rose
  • Madeleine Claire
  • Madeleine Anne
  • Madeleine Louise
  • Madeleine Grace
  • Madeleine Frances

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Madeleine

Josephine Eleanor Cecily Sebastian Hugo

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 Madeleine more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Madeleine at #437 in the United States.

What do James and Madeleine mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Madeleine means "woman from Magdala" (Hebrew via Greek origin).

Are James and Madeleine boy or girl names?

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

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