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James
Meaning: from Jacob — 'supplanter', 'held by the heel' · Origin: Hebrew (via Latin) · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
English form of Latin Iacomus, a variant of Iacobus (Jacob). King James VI and I gave his name to the 1611 King James Bible.
Famous people named James
- King James VI and I
- James Dean (actor)
- James Baldwin (writer)
Nicknames
Jim, Jamie, Jimmy
Variants & related names
Jacob, Diego, Giacomo, Jacques
James name art
A free preview of a printable “James” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name James mean?
James means “from Jacob — 'supplanter', 'held by the heel'”. It comes from Hebrew (via Latin).
Is James a popular name?
Yes — James has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for James?
Jim, Jamie, Jimmy.
What are other forms of James?
Jacob, Diego, Giacomo, Jacques.
Similar names
Giovanni · Nathaniel · Jonah · Zachary · Toby · Jude
More: names starting with J · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.