James vs Paola

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 →

Paola

Girl #1,081 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Italian Spanish Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,081
Total SSA Count
229
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pao, Pola

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paola →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Paola Rank #1,081

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1081 for Paola.

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

Paola ___

  • Paola Grace
  • Paola Marie
  • Paola Sofia
  • Paola Valentina
  • Paola Rosa
  • Paola Isabella

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Paola

Sofia Isabella Valentina Marco Matteo

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 Paola more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Paola at #1081 in the United States.

What do James and Paola mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Paola means "small, humble" (Latin origin).

Are James and Paola boy or girl names?

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

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