James vs Paula

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Paula

Girl #753 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian German English Brazilian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#753
Total SSA Count
374
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Polly, Pau, Paulie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paula →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Paula Rank #753

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #753 for Paula.

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

Paula ___

  • Paula Marie
  • Paula Ann
  • Paula Jean
  • Paula Grace
  • Paula Elizabeth
  • Paula Louise

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Paula

Peter Patricia Michael Barbara Mark

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 Paula more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Paula at #753 in the United States.

What do James and Paula mean?

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

Are James and Paula boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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