James vs Salma

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 →

Salma

Girl #870 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"peaceful, safe"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Arabic Hebrew Spanish Turkish Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#870
Total SSA Count
310
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Salma →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Salma Rank #870

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #870 for Salma.

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

Salma ___

  • Salma Nadia
  • Salma Rose
  • Salma Leila
  • Salma Amira
  • Salma Fatima
  • Salma Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Salma

Layla Amira Yasmin Omar Ibrahim

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 Salma more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Salma at #870 in the United States.

What do James and Salma mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Salma means "peaceful, safe" (Arabic origin).

Are James and Salma boy or girl names?

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

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