James vs Shirley

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 →

Shirley

Girl #1,454 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright clearing in the woods"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,454
Total SSA Count
151
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Shirl

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shirley →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Shirley Rank #1,454

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1454 for Shirley.

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

Shirley ___

  • Shirley Ann
  • Shirley Marie
  • Shirley Jean
  • Shirley Grace
  • Shirley Louise
  • Shirley Mae

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Shirley

Dorothy Phyllis Beverly Geraldine Harold

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 Shirley more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Shirley at #1454 in the United States.

What do James and Shirley mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Shirley means "bright clearing in the woods" (Old English origin).

Are James and Shirley boy or girl names?

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

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