James vs Magdalena

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 →

Magdalena

Girl #836 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"woman from Magdala"

Origin: Hebrew Migdal (tower)

Cultural Roots

Spanish Polish Czech Slovak German Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#836
Total SSA Count
321
Syllables
4
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Magda, Lena, Maggie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Magdalena →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Magdalena Rank #836

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #836 for Magdalena.

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

Magdalena ___

  • Magdalena Sofia
  • Magdalena Elena
  • Magdalena Rose
  • Magdalena Victoria
  • Magdalena Clara
  • Magdalena Isabel

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Magdalena

Sebastiana Catalina Rafael Sebastian Matthias

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 Magdalena more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Magdalena at #836 in the United States.

What do James and Magdalena mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Magdalena means "woman from Magdala" (Hebrew Migdal (tower) origin).

Are James and Magdalena boy or girl names?

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

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