James

James Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

JAYMZ

Meaning of James: James derives from Late Latin Jacomus, an altered form of Jacobus, which translates Hebrew Ya'aqov meaning one who supplants. According to etymology records, related forms include Jaime in Spanish, Giacomo in Italian, and Jacques in French.

US Rank 2024

No. 5

Births

11,793

Peak Year

1940

Two apostles named James appear in the New Testament, cementing the name in Christian tradition. The pilgrimage site Santiago de Compostela — from Sant Iago, Saint James — drew millions of medieval pilgrims across Catholic Europe. This apostolic connection sustained the name's prominence for over 1,000 years.

Seven Kings of Scotland bore the name between 1406 and 1625. James I of England (1603-1625) commissioned the 1611 King James Bible, which shaped English prose for four centuries. This royal density gave James one of the strongest dynastic profiles of any English boy name.

What Does James Mean? Origin & Etymology

SSA records at ssa.gov show James ranked in the US top 20 every year since records begin in 1880. The name held #1 from 1940 to 1952 and stayed top 5 through 1992. As of 2023, James ranked #5 with 14,247 births, a 140-year streak in the top 20.

Six US presidents bore the name: Madison, Monroe, Polk, Buchanan, Garfield, and Carter. Common diminutives include Jim, Jimmy, and Jamie, each with independent cultural profiles. International variants Jaime, Giacomo, and Jacques demonstrate the name's reach across Western European naming traditions.

Name day: July 25

How Popular Is James?

Numerology & Symbolism of James

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

J(1) + A(1) + M(4) + E(5) + S(1) = 12 = 3

Destiny number

Expression

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Love

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Warmth

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 5

Vowels / consonants 2 / 3

Birthstone Citrine

Lucky color Yellow

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

James – Similar Names & Alternatives

Noah

From Hebrew “noach” meaning rest or comfort; name of the…

Mateo

From Hebrew “Mattityahu” meaning gift of God, from “matan”…

Elijah

From Hebrew ʼeliyyahu: “ʼel” (God) + “Yahu” (Yahweh),…

Benjamin

From Hebrew “Binyamin”: “ben” (son) + “yamin” (right hand),…

Levi

From Hebrew “levi” meaning joined or attached; name of the…

Ezra

From Hebrew “Ezra” meaning help or helper; name of the…

Jack

From Hebrew “Yochanan” meaning God is gracious, via Old…

Daniel

From Hebrew “Daniel”: “dan” (judge) + “el” (God), meaning…

Samuel

From Hebrew “Shemuel”: “shama” (heard) + “el” (God),…

Michael

From Hebrew “Mikhaʼel”: “mi” (who) + “kha” (like) + “el”…

Ethan

From Hebrew “Eitan” meaning strong, firm, or enduring; name…

Asher

From Hebrew “Asher” meaning happy, blessed, or fortunate;…

Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity

Frequently Asked Questions about James

What does James mean?

James means supplanter, from Hebrew Yaʿaqov (Jacob) via Late Latin Jacomus. The biblical Jacob supplanted his twin Esau, making the name’s meaning a central story in Judeo-Christian scripture.

What is the origin of James?

James derives from Late Latin Jacomus (variant of Jacobus). The apostle James gave it Christian prestige. Six Scottish kings named James spread it through the British Empire.

How popular is James in the US?

James ranks 5 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It has ranked in the top 10 since SSA records began in 1880. James held rank 1 for 13 years from 1940 to 1952.

What are variants of James?

Variants include Jamie, Jim, Jimmy (English nicknames), Jaime (Spanish), Giacomo (Italian), Jacques (French), Diego (Spanish), and Seumas (Scottish Gaelic).

Is James more popular for girls or boys?

James is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 5 for boys in the US in 2024. James also appears as a rare girls’ name, ranking in the 200s for girls in recent years.

Boy Hebrew 2 syllables From Late Latin 'Jacomus

James – Name Variants & Spellings

Variant	Language
Jago	Cornish
Jim	English short form
Jamie	English/Scottish diminutive
Jacques	French
Jakob	German/Scandinavian
Seamus	Irish
Giacomo	Italian
Hamish	Scottish
Diego	Spanish
Jacobo	Spanish
Jaime	Spanish/Portuguese
Iago	Welsh/Spanish

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