James vs Thelma

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
Thelma Rank #4,386

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #4386 for Thelma.

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

Thelma ___

  • Thelma Mae
  • Thelma Rose
  • Thelma June
  • Thelma Louise
  • Thelma Grace
  • Thelma Jean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Thelma

Velma Mabel Cora Gladys Hester

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 Thelma more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Thelma at #4386 in the United States.

What do James and Thelma mean?

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

Are James and Thelma boy or girl names?

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

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