"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
James
Pronunciation: [ j-AYMZ ]
Does James flow with your last name?
The king of classic names, worn by kings and presidents
English
Scottish
Biblical
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"may God protect"
Origin: Alternative Hebrew interpretation
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of James
James is the English form of the Late Latin Iacomus, an alteration of Iacobus, from the Greek Iakobos, which comes from the Hebrew Ya'akov (Jacob) meaning 'he who supplants' or 'he who follows at the heel.' Introduced to England after the Norman Conquest, it became one of the most prestigious names in British history, carried by six kings of Scotland and two kings of England.
James has been in the US top 5 for virtually every decade since records began. It's a perennial favorite that never feels dated — probably because it has been used by six US Presidents, cultural icons from James Brown to James Dean, and every generation equally.
Six kings of Scotland and two kings of England bore the name James, making it one of the most historically significant names in British royalty. In the US, James is the most common name among Presidents, borne by six men including Madison, Monroe, Buchanan, Garfield, Polk, and Carter.
Historical Record
James first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,938,004 babies have been named James in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, James is past its peak , currently ranked #5 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- James is the most common first name among US Presidents, with six presidents named James
- Six kings of Scotland were named James (James I through James VI)
- James Bond, fictional spy 007, is arguably the most famous fictional James in pop culture
James in Other Languages
French
Jacques
Italian
Giacomo
Spanish
Jaime
Portuguese
Tiago
Scottish Gaelic
Seumas
Popularity Over Time
#5
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named James
J
James Brown
Musician
1933
Legendary American singer known as the Godfather of Soul
J
James Dean
Actor
1931
Iconic American actor known for Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden
J
James Watson
Scientist
1928
American biologist who co-discovered the double helix structure of DNA
J
James Baldwin
Writer
1924
Influential American novelist and civil rights activist
J
James Madison
Politician
1751
4th President of the United States, Father of the Constitution
J
James Bond Fictional
Other
Fictional British spy, protagonist of Ian Fleming's thriller novels and film franchise
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5
- Total SSA Count
- 11,793
- Cultural Origins
- English Scottish Biblical
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Jim
Jimmy
Jamie
Jay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for James
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like James
Phonetic neighbors that share James's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
James is also used as a girl name, ranked #2583.
View James as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About James
What does the name James mean?
"supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (from Hebrew). "may God protect" (from Alternative Hebrew interpretation). James is the English form of the Late Latin Iacomus, an alteration of Iacobus, from the Greek Iakobos, which comes from the Hebrew Ya'akov (Jacob) meaning 'he who supplants' or 'he who follows at the heel.' Introduced to England after the Norman Conquest, it became one of the most prestigious names in British history, carried by six kings of Scotland and two kings of England.
What is the origin of the name James?
James has Hebrew, Alternative Hebrew interpretation, English, Scottish, and Biblical origins. In Hebrew, it means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel". In Alternative Hebrew interpretation, it means "may God protect".
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5. As a girl name, it is ranked #2583. James is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce James?
James is pronounced j-AYMZ.
How popular is the name James?
James is currently ranked #5 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for James?
Common nicknames for James include Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, and Jay.
What are good middle names for James?
Popular middle name pairings include James Alexander, James William, James Thomas, James Edward, James Henry, James Patrick, and James Oliver.
What are good sibling names for James?
Names that pair well with James as siblings include Charlotte, Olivia, Emma, William, Henry, Elizabeth, and Eleanor.
How many syllables does James have?
James has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is James a common or rare name?
James is a very popular name, ranked #5 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to James?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name James
James is a boy name with English, Scottish, and Biblical origins . The name means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" in Hebrew .
Is James a boy or girl name? James is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,583. James is more commonly used as a boy name.
James is currently ranked #5 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name James has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-AYMZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for James include Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, and Jay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of James include Jameson, Jamel, Jameer, Jameir, Jamere . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis