James Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name James has its origins in Hebrew, meaning 'supplanter.' It evolved through various languages, from Yaakov to Iacobus to Jacques, before becoming James in English. The name is significant in biblical contexts and has gained historical popularity, particularly due to the King James Bible. Today, it is associated with positive traits and is popular in modern culture, with notable figures bearing the name.
The name James is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, James has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'James' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 447th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 400th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 570th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 596th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 975th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3617th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2810th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'James' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "James"
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒeɪmz/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name James is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' It was Latinized as Iacobus and later evolved into the Old French name Jacques, before finally becoming James in English.
Meaning
Supplanter
Language Evolution
Yaakov (Hebrew), Iacobus (Latin), Jacques (Old French), James (Middle English)
Biblical Background
James is a significant biblical name, borne by several figures in the New Testament, including James the Just, who is considered an important leader in the early Christian church.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world after the translation of the Bible into English, particularly the King James Version published in 1611, which elevated its status.
Variants & Derivatives
Jim, Jimmy, Jaime, Santiago
Modern Popularity & Image
James remains a widely used and respected name today, often associated with strength and reliability. It is perceived positively and frequently appears in popular culture.
Famous People
James Madison, James Monroe, James Dean, James Cameron, James Earl Jones
Explore More James Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "James"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "James"
"James" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3rd of 7545 | 740,411 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2nd of 6773 | 1,090,469 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1st of 7552 | 1,571,074 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3rd of 10718 | 799,148 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7th of 16616 | 503,495 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17th of 24088 | 262,449 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4th of 23106 | 159,500 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 447th of 9107 | 4,024 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 400th of 9204 | 5,281 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 570th of 12526 | 5,024 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 596th of 19264 | 4,654 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 975th of 27321 | 2,876 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3617th of 35406 | 645 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2810th of 30306 | 732 |
Regional Popularity of "James" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
0.28% 4th/1416 |
0.36% 5th/1379 |
0.04% 1st/2366 |
0.35% 4th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
0.13% 2nd/1546 |
0.32% 5th/1556 |
0.04% 1st/2353 |
0.26% 4th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.13% 3rd/2227 |
0.16% 4th/2430 |
0.04% 1st/2853 |
0.18% 5th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.10% 3rd/2937 |
0.14% 5th/3483 |
0.06% 2nd/3518 |
0.12% 5th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.30% 11th/3685 |
0.22% 10th/4475 |
0.08% 4th/5194 |
0.19% 12th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.46% 21st/4582 |
0.33% 17th/5164 |
0.10% 7th/7313 |
0.38% 28th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.18% 7th/3984 |
0.16% 7th/4487 |
0.07% 5th/6822 |
0.19% 12th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "James" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
33.62% 476th/1416 |
30.75% 424th/1379 |
15.00% 355th/2366 |
83.27% 951st/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
26.58% 411th/1546 |
26.09% 406th/1556 |
13.77% 324th/2353 |
52.62% 814th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
28.15% 627th/2227 |
25.14% 611th/2430 |
16.33% 466th/2853 |
31.71% 880th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
20.33% 597th/2937 |
17.80% 620th/3483 |
14.27% 502nd/3518 |
18.25% 738th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
26.16% 964th/3685 |
21.77% 974th/4475 |
15.81% 821st/5194 |
20.09% 1269th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
88.26% 4044th/4582 |
86.77% 4481st/5164 |
46.51% 3401st/7313 |
73.66% 5497th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 3984th/3984 |
61.47% 2758th/4487 |
50.98% 3478th/6822 |
41.01% 2574th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "James"
This map shows the relative popularity of "James" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.