N
NamyLab

James

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Supplanter; One who Replaces"

English form of Jacob, long established in Christian contexts and widely adopted across Anglophone naming traditions.

Themes:supplanterreplacementtraditionbiblical
BiblicalRoyalRegalNatureNaturalClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of James

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#5Top 10

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#5

James was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-1

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

James Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for James.

13 ideas
Jamie
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Jim
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Jimmy
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Jay
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Jem
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jamesy
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jamesie
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jameso
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jamy
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jame
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ames
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ja
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jo
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Baby Name Lists That Include James

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes James, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

24 linked lists

Famous Jamess

  • J
    James I of England
    King of England and Scotland in the 17th century. Authorized the King James Bible translation.
  • J
    James Dean
    American actor and cultural icon. Star of 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'Giant', epitomized youth rebellion.
  • J
    James Martin
    British television chef and author. Host of popular cooking shows, advocate for proper British cuisine.
  • J
    James Bond
    Fictional secret agent created by Ian Fleming. Iconic character in longest-running film franchise.
  • J
    James Whitaker
    English cricketer and sports commentator. Test match legend with distinguished international career.
  • J
    James Cameron
    Canadian film director and producer. Creator of blockbusters including 'Avatar', 'Titanic', and 'The Terminator'.
  • J
    James Hetfield
    American musician and lead vocalist of Metallica. One of the most influential metal musicians.
  • J
    James Brown
    'The Godfather of Soul'. Revolutionary musician whose innovations shaped funk and soul music.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name James mean?
James means "Supplanter; One who Replaces". English form of Jacob, long established in Christian contexts and widely adopted across Anglophone naming traditions.
What is the origin of James?
James is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name James?
According to the latest SSA data, James is currently ranked #5 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is James a boy name?
James is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for James?
Popular nicknames for James include Jamie, Jim, Jimmy, Jay, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to James?
There are many names similar to James in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew, English
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#5
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withJ

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like James

James has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

James appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Timeless Classic Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how James pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement James beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.