James vs Shayla

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 →

Shayla

Girl #1,809 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"fairy palace, fairy mound"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

American English Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,809
Total SSA Count
111
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Shay, Shaye

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shayla →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shayla Rank #1,809

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1809 for Shayla.

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

Shayla ___

  • Shayla Marie
  • Shayla Lynn
  • Shayla Nicole
  • Shayla Ann
  • Shayla Renee
  • Shayla Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shayla

Brandon Tyler Ashley Brittany Cody

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 Shayla more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shayla at #1809 in the United States.

What do James and Shayla mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shayla means "fairy palace, fairy mound" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are James and Shayla boy or girl names?

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

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