James vs Valerie

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 →

Valerie

Girl #147 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"strong, healthy, from the Latin valere"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

French English American Latin

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#147
Total SSA Count
1,985
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Val, Valli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Valerie →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Valerie Rank #147

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #147 for Valerie.

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

Valerie ___

  • Valerie Anne
  • Valerie Rose
  • Valerie Elizabeth
  • Valerie Marie
  • Valerie Jane
  • Valerie Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Valerie

Vivienne Genevieve Dominic Julian Beatrice

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 Valerie more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Valerie at #147 in the United States.

What do James and Valerie mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Valerie means "strong, healthy, from the Latin valere" (Latin origin).

Are James and Valerie boy or girl names?

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

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