James
James: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /d͡ʒeɪmz/
Meaning and origin of James
- A male given name from Hebrew popular since the Middle Ages. Also a common middle name.
Etymology
The English New Testament form of Jacob, from Middle English James, from Old French James, from Vulgar Latin Iācōmus, spoken and altered pronunciation of Latin Iācōbus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Biblical Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ, literally “May He Heel”), from the third-person singular masculine imperfective form of the Semitic verb "to heel" (with various meanings), in turn from עָקֵב (ʿāqēḇ, “heel of the foot”). Doublet of Jacques, Jacob, Iago, Jago, Yago, Hamish, Seamus, Tiago, Santiago, and Yaakov. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a modification of the earlier name Duke of York's Island after its eponymous duke's coronation as James II of England
How popular is James?
Since 1880, 23,882 girls and 5,250,638 boys in the U.S. have been named James (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #319 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #1 in 1940. In 2025 it ranked #6 for boys, with 12,004 babies given the name.
Names similar to James
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for James
Sister and brother names that share James's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
James FAQ
What does the name James mean?
A male given name from Hebrew popular since the Middle Ages. Also a common middle name. The English New Testament form of Jacob, from Middle English James, from Old French James, from Vulgar Latin Iācōmus, spoken and altered pronunciation of Latin Iācōbus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Biblical Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ, literally “May He Heel”), from the third-person singular masculine imperfective form of the Semitic verb "to heel" (with various meanings), in turn from עָקֵב (ʿāqēḇ, “heel of the foot”). Doublet of Jacques, Jacob, Iago, Jago, Yago, Hamish, Seamus, Tiago, Santiago, and Yaakov. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a modification of the earlier name Duke of York's Island after its eponymous duke's coronation as James II of England
What is the origin of the name James?
James is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name James?
Since 1880, 23,882 girls and 5,250,638 boys in the U.S. have been named James (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #319 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #1 in 1940. In 2025 it ranked #6 for boys, with 12,004 babies given the name.
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 23,882 girls and 5,250,638 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.