Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
James
BoyEnglish, Latin· “holder of the heel, supplanter”
- Meaning
- holder of the heel, supplanter
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- JAYMZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #6
- US babies 2025
- 11,945
- Best rank
- #1 (1940)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of James
James is an English and Latin name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
James developed from Iacomus, a late Latin variant of Iacobus, which comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, the name of the patriarch Jacob. The Bible connects that name with "heel" and "supplanter". Two of Jesus's apostles were named James, and the shrine of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela made the name famous across medieval Europe. In Scotland it became a royal name, and James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, uniting the crowns and lending his name to the King James Bible. James has remained a mainstay in English-speaking countries ever since. It feels classic and adaptable, with nicknames such as Jim, Jimmy, Jamie and Jem.
Famous parents who chose James: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
James has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #1 in 1940, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 94,767 were named James. In 2025, 11,945 babies were named James, and it ranked #6 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4 in 1920, #1 in 1950, #5 in 1980, #18 in 2000, #19 in 2010, and #6 in 2025. Of the 5,250,638 US boys named James since records began, 16% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 795,775 babies. Since 2010, 212,212 more have been named James.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Robert, John, William, Richard, and Charles.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, James ranked highest in Mississippi, Wyoming, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #1 | 160 |
| Wyoming | #2 | 25 |
| Alabama | #3 | 292 |
| Louisiana | #3 | 187 |
| Tennessee | #4 | 385 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
James is usually pronounced JAYMZ, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for James
A few middle names that flow with James: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for James
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Lists that include James
Frequently asked questions
What does the name James mean?
James is an English and Latin name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name James?
James has English, Latin, and Hebrew roots. James developed from Iacomus, a late Latin variant of Iacobus, which comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, the name of the patriarch Jacob.
Is James a popular name?
Yes. James ranked #6 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce James?
James is usually pronounced JAYMZ. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings