James vs Samara

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
Samara Rank #309

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #309 for Samara.

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

Samara ___

  • Samara Samara Grace
  • Samara Samara Joy
  • Samara Samara Elise
  • Samara Samara Rose
  • Samara Samara Leigh

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Samara

Nadia Zara Elara Callum Jasper

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 Samara more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Samara at #309 in the United States.

What do James and Samara mean?

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

Are James and Samara boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

Samara vs James James vs Asher James vs Camden James vs Theodore James vs Jacob
← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Samara Browse all baby names