James vs Maria

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 →

Maria

Girl #74 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"drop of the sea, star of the sea"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian Portuguese German Polish Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#74
Total SSA Count
3,105
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mari, Ria, Mia

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maria →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Maria Rank #74

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #74 for Maria.

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

Maria ___

  • Maria Elena
  • Maria Theresa
  • Maria Lucia
  • Maria Isabelle
  • Maria Christina
  • Maria Celeste

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Maria

Elena Lucia Isabella Carlos Diego

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 Maria more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Maria at #74 in the United States.

What do James and Maria mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Maria means "drop of the sea, star of the sea" (Latin origin).

Are James and Maria boy or girl names?

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

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