James vs Marlene

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 →

Marlene

Girl #1,555 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wished-for child"

Origin: Hebrew (via Maria)

Cultural Roots

German French American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,555
Total SSA Count
137
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Marle, Lena, Marli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Marlene →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Marlene Rank #1,555

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1555 for Marlene.

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

Marlene ___

  • Marlene Grace
  • Marlene Louise
  • Marlene Anne
  • Marlene Claire
  • Marlene Rose
  • Marlene Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Marlene

Ingrid Gertrude Hildegard Claus Heinrich

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 Marlene more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Marlene at #1555 in the United States.

What do James and Marlene mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Marlene means "wished-for child" (Hebrew (via Maria) origin).

Are James and Marlene boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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