James vs Perl

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 →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Perl Rank #5,576

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5576 for Perl.

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

Perl ___

  • Perl Rose
  • Perl Marie
  • Perl Jane
  • Perl Anne
  • Perl Louise
  • Perl Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Perl

Esther Goldie Rivka Ora Hana

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 Perl more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Perl at #5576 in the United States.

What do James and Perl mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Perl means "pearl" (Latin via Yiddish origin).

Are James and Perl boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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