James vs Tara

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 →

Tara

Girl #1,022 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rocky hill, hill of kings"

Origin: Celtic

Cultural Roots

Irish Indian American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,022
Total SSA Count
247
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tara →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Tara Rank #1,022

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1022 for Tara.

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

Tara ___

  • Tara Louise
  • Tara Anne
  • Tara Marie
  • Tara Jean
  • Tara Elizabeth
  • Tara Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Tara

Liam Niamh Finn Sinead Brendan

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 Tara more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Tara at #1022 in the United States.

What do James and Tara mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Tara means "rocky hill, hill of kings" (Celtic origin).

Are James and Tara boy or girl names?

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

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