James name meaning

By Nishant Saini

Updated: May 30th, 2024

Gender: Boy

Origin: Hebrew and English

Usage: Bengali, English, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Greenlandic, Finnish, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian

Pronunciation: pronunciation of James

j(a)-mes

Meaning: Supplanter, Jimmy, Variant of Jacob, Holds the Heel, He who Supplants

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On This Page

What does James mean?
Variations of James
Nicknames for James
How popular is James?
Popularity Chart
Similar Names to James
Famous People Named James
Lists having James

What does James mean?

The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter". It is a biblical name derived from the Old Testament figure Jacob. The name James was also borne by two New Testament characters: James, son of Zebedee and James, the brother of Jesus.

The form Jacobs derives from Late Latin Iacobus, Greek Ἰάκωβος Iákōbos, which ultimately derives from Hebrew יעקב Yaaqov.

In the Middle Ages, the spelling Jacomus became more common in Continental Europe due to the influence of Latin.

The Latin spelling Jacomus was used in England until the 16th century when the Latin form Jacques appeared. The usageJacques for English speakers began in France and spread to England in the 17th century.

French king James VI/I was commonly called Jacques by his enemies during his reign (1603-1625).

The variant spellings Jaime and Jacobo are found in Spanish and Italian respectively. In German, Jacob is spelled Jakob while Jacques is spelled Jakobus or Jakeb; both are pronounced identically to English Jake or Jack.

In Dutch, Jacob is rendered asJacobus or Cobus while Jacques is speltJaap; again both forms are pronounced identically to English Jake or Jack.

James has been one of the most popular given names for boys in English-speaking countries since the 13th century.

There are many famous people who have the name James.

This includes actors, musicians, athletes, and more.

Some of the most famous people named James include:
-Actor James Franco
-Musician James Taylor
-Athlete LeBron James
-Actor James Earl Jones

There are a lot of reasons why the name James is a good choice for your baby.

It is classic and timeless, it has a strong meaning behind it, and it is easy to pronounce and spell. Plus, there are a lot of great nicknames that come from the name James.

If you are looking for a strong and classic name for your baby, then James is definitely a great option.

ALSO READ : 170+ Vintage Names for Your Modern Baby

How do I pronounce James?

Two syllabled James is pronounced as j(a)-mes. It can also be pronounced as jaym-z.

Variants of James

Iacobus, Iacomus, Iakobos, Yaakov, Chango, Jacques, Jacob, Jacobus, Jacoumeto, Jacqueline, Jacquelyn, Jascha, Jamie, Jamina, Jasha, Aaronjames, Jamesanthony, Aharon, Aaron, Jacomus

Nicknames for James

Check out these nickaname options for baby name James:

Names that rhyme with James

How popular is the name James?

James was among the n extremely popular names in United States. Since emerging in 1880 around 5187184 babies have been given the given name. When at its peak in 1940, it ranked 1st when 94762 parents chose the moniker for their baby boys.

However after 278 years, the name is currently sliding down on the charts but still going strong on charts. In addition to that, the given name has been in the top 5 baby names a whooping 104 times Also, James was among the very popular names in England and Wales.

Since emerging in 1996 around 131580 babies have been given the first name. At its zenith in 1997, the moniker grabbed the 2nd spot and 9853 baby boys were given the name.

However after 24 years, the name is on free fall on the charts but still dominating the charts. Additionally, the first name has been in the top 5 baby names 10 times Also, James was among the popular names in Ireland.

Since emerging in 1964 around 49288 babies have been given the first name. At its zenith in 1994, the moniker grabbed the 1st spot and 1554 baby boys were given the name.

However the graph is now showing a downward trend after 56 years but still going strong on charts. Moreover, the moniker has been to the top 5 baby names 42 times Also, James was among the popular names in Netherlands.

Since emerging in 2015 around 2426 babies have been given the name. When at the peak of its usage in 2019, 576 boys were bestowed the name and it was ranked at 8th position.

After 8 years, the name has past its prime. Additionally, the moniker has been in the top 10 baby names 1 times Also, James was a popular name in New South Wales.

Over 43765 babies have been named James since 1952. At the peak of its usage in 1996, 1178 boys were bestowed the name and it was ranked at 3rd position. However the graph is now showing a downward trend after 67 years but still dominating the charts.

Additionally, the name has been in the top 5 baby names 16 times

A common name in France with over 25186 new-borns have been given the name since 1900. Currently the name is rising, in 1945, it ranked 85th when 380 parents chose the moniker for their baby boys.

Also, James is common in Belgium where over 1138 new-borns have been given the name since 1995. Recently at its peak, 109 boys were bestowed the name and it was ranked at 101st position.

Also, James used to be a common name in Queensland, first appeared in 1960 and over 17640 babies have been given the name in 60 years. At the peak of its usage in 1993,.

However after 60 years, the name is currently sliding down on the charts but it is still going strong. Additionally, the first name has been in the top 5 baby names 2 times Also, In Western Australia, James was once a common name since emerging in 1930 it has been given to over 7780 babies.

At the peak of its usage in 2011,. However after 41 years, the name is currently sliding down on the charts but it is still going strong. Moreover, the first name has been to the top 5 baby names 18 times Also, In Victoria, James was once a common name since emerging in 2008 it has been given to over 4161 babies.

At its zenith in 2008,. However after 12 years, the name is currently sliding down on the charts but it is still going strong. Additionally, the given name has been in the top 5 baby names 2 times

James is a familiar baby name in Switzerland, it has been in use since 1998 and was able to reach the top 200 names.

Recently in 2017, 75 babies were given James and it reached its peak ranking, 125 on boy names chart. Over 774 people have been named James in Switzerland. However things change on global perspective, James is extremely popular in England where every 1 in 100 have the name as well as in, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Canada, Tanzania, South Sudan, Scotland, Philippines, Sudan and Ghana.

Also the baby name is popular in Zambia, Malawi, Australia, South Africa, Haiti, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, India, Rwanda, Papua New Guinea, Northern Ireland, Brazil, Malaysia, Colombia, Mozambique, Wales, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Cameroon, Indonesia, Madagascar, Burundi, DR Congo, Peru, Central African Republic, China, Egypt, Togo, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Ethiopia and Poland.

At least, 8580000 people globally have carried James as their given name according to our findings.

Year	Boys		Girls
Year	Rank	Births	Rank	Births
2023	4	11670	2303	79
2022	4	12028	2214	84
2021	5	12367	2558	67
2020	6	12343	2571	66
2019	6	13157	2559	68
2018	4	13613	3432	45
2017	4	14337	2357	77
2016	5	14892	2613	67
2015	7	14850	3838	39
2014	9	14447	3651	42

View more ▾View full list ▾^{[1] Source: Social Security Administration}

Facts

James in Nordic countries

Countries	Men		Women
Countries	First Name	Secondary Name	First Name	Secondary Name
	1703	3236	5	37
	3154	629	30	8

Here's what numbers has to say about James

You act protectively around the people you love and people who need help. You would climb the highest rock if that's necessary to accomplish something you want badly. You have 3 as your expression number it reveals your positive attitude toward life. You have the ability to predict things before they happen thanks to your strong intuition. You are a peacemaker and always avoid conflicts. You remind people that life is for you to live it, and not survive, something many do these days.

Looking for names similar to James? Please go through the following names

Harvey - Illustrous and Evergreen unisex name Harvey is of Celtic origin, meaning of Harvey is "Army Warrior, Presumably Struggle or Eager for Battle" is commonly used in English. In 2018, famous name Harvey bagged 444th position on the list of baby boy names in United States
Troy - Predominant and Conifer Latin and French Troy means "Curly Haired, To Be Strong or Foot-soldier" used in English and Finnish is a gender-neutral name
Bessie - Outstanding and Evergreen unisex name Bessie has its origin in Hebrew, meaning of Bessie is "God is My Oath, House or God is Fullness" is mainly used in English and Finnish
Lizzie - Lizzie's meaning is My God has Sworn, God is Fullness or My God is Abundance is a unisex name, mainly used in Swedish and Norwegian is rooted from Hebrew and Old Greek

Claire - Desirable and Ever lasting unisex name Claire means "Famous or Clear" has its roots in Latin is used in Danish and French

Celebrity Baby News

EastEnders star James Bye and his wife Victoria expecting their fourth child
After years of fertility struggles, enduring miscarriages and endometriosis treatments, EastEnders actor James Bye and his wife Victoria have unveiled their newest addition to the family - their fourth child! The couple shared their wonderful news on Monday evening with an ultrasound scan snap.
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Famous people named James

James Joyce, Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn, Scottish peer
James Flynn, New Zealand intelligence researcher
James Parry, Usenetter
James Ussher, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625 and 1656
James Callaghan, prime minister
James Bowman Lindsay, Scottish inventor and author
James Bacque, Canadian writer, publisher, and book editor
James W. Prescott, American developmental psychologist
James Tyrrell, English knight
James Mark Baldwin, American philosopher and psychologist who was educated at Princeton under the supervision of Scottish philosopher James McCosh and
James Balfour, Lord Pittendreich, Scottish legal writer, judge and politician

James Brindley, English engineer
James Barry, Irish painter
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, prominent Irish unionist politician
James Scullin, Australian Labor Party politician and the ninth Prime Minister of Australia
James Mooney, American ethnographer
James Pradier, Genevan-born French sculptor best
James Tyler Kent, American physician best remembered as a forefather of modern homeopathy
James Scholefield, English classical scholar
James Gairdner, British historian
James of Saint George, architect from Savoy
James Petrillo, leader of the American Federation of Musicians
James Stephen, principal English lawyer associated with the abolitionist movement
James Gall, Scottish clergyman

James Spedding, English author
James McIntyre, Canadian poet
James Harrison Rigg, English nonconformist minister and Methodist educator
James Hope-Scott, British barrister and Tractarian
James Cameron, prominent British journalist
James Swinburne, British electrical engineer and manufacturer
James Hutton, Scottish geologist, physician
James Watt, Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer
James Watson, American molecular biologist
James Lovelock, independent scientist, environmentalist
James Longstreet, was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee
James Gosling, Canadian computer scientist
James Dewar, Scottish chemist and physicist

James Prescott Joule, English physicist, mathematician and brewer,
James Stirling, Scottish mathematician
James H. Clark, American entrepreneur and computer scientist
James Nasmyth, Scottish engineer, philosopher
James Bradley, English astronomer and priest
James Mill, Scottish historian, economist, political theorist
James Chadwick, British physicist
James Henry Monk, English divine and classical scholar
James Braid, Scottish surgeon and "gentleman scientist"
James Martineau, English religious philosopher influential
James Glaisher, English meteorologist, aeronaut and astronomer
James Short, Scottish mathematician and manufacturer of optical instruments
James Cameron, Canadian filmmaker, philanthropist

James Cook, British explorer, navigator, cartographer
James Brown, In a career that lasted 50 years
James Branch Cabell, American author of fantasy fiction and belles lettres
James Blish, American science fiction and fantasy writer
James Madison, James Madison Jr
James Monroe, American statesman and Founding Father
James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States
James Thurber, American cartoonist, author, humorist, journalist
James Cagney, James Francis Cagney Jr
James Whale, English film director, theater director and actor
James Spader, American actor
James G. Blaine, American statesman and Republican politician
James Stewart, American actor and military officer

James Randi, Canadian-American retired stage magician and a scientific skeptic
James Lind, Scottish doctor
James Clavell, British novelist, screenwriter, director
James Heckman, uchicago
James Blaylock, American fantasy author

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Sources

Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/index.html
Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths
Central Statistics Office - An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh, https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/babynames
Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2540004
Sociale Verzekeringsbank, https://statbel.fgov.be/en/themes/population/family-names-and-first-names/first-names-boys-and-girls
Office fédéral de la statistique, https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/fr/home/statistiques/population/naissances-deces/prenoms-nouveaux-nes.html
Sociale Verzekeringsbank, https://www.svb.nl/nl/kindernamen/
Births Deaths And Marriages Victoria, https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/births/naming-your-child/popular-baby-names-in-victoria
Department of Jutsice, Government of Western Australia, https://bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/BabyNames/Default.aspx?uid=1144-3594-8619-1127
NT.GOV.AU, https://nt.gov.au/law/bdm/popular-baby-names
Queensland Government - Open Data Portal, https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/top-100-baby-names
NSW Government, https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/births/popular-baby-names

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