James: Name Meaning, Popularity and Info on BabyNames.com

What is the meaning of the name James?

The name James is primarily a gender-neutral name of Hebrew origin that means Supplanter.

It comes from the Hebrew name "Yaakov." In the Old Testament, Jacob was one of the patriarchs of the Israelite people and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Over time, the name "Yaakov" was translated into various languages, and in English, it became James. The name James has been popular in many English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

There have been many notable people throughout history with the name James, including kings, saints, writers, and musicians. The name has remained popular over time due to its biblical roots and its classic sound. Common nicknames for the name James include Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, or Jame. Although James is originally a male name, it is recently being used for females, as well. 

Five famous people named James include:

James Baldwin - an American novelist, essayist, and social critic known for his works on racial and social issues.
James Brown - an American singer, songwriter, and dancer known as the "Godfather of Soul."
James Dean - an American actor known for his roles in movies such as "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant."
James Franco - an American actor, filmmaker, and writer known for his roles in movies such as "127 Hours" and "The Disaster Artist."
James Hetfield - the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the American heavy metal band Metallica.

Five fictional characters named James include:

James Bond - a fictional British spy created by Ian Fleming who has been featured in numerous novels and films.
James T. Kirk - the captain of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek franchise.
James Potter - a character from the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling, who was the father of the protagonist, Harry Potter.
James "Sawyer" Ford - a character from the TV show "Lost" who is known for his sarcastic wit and survival skills.
James "Logan" Howlett - a character from the X-Men comic book series and movies who is also known as Wolverine.

People who like the name James also like:

William, Benjamin, Alexander, Henry, Oliver, Liam, Jacob, Lily, Grace, Amelia, Olivia, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Emma

Names like James:

Jiang, Jumoke, Junius, Jansje, Jagienka, Janika, Jonco, Janusz, Janus, Jengo, Jennessa, Jawanza, Jamaica, Jens, Junko, Jannik, Janneke, Jenis, Janessa, Jimenez, Jennica, Jonas, Jeong, Jahmisey, Janek, Jenski, Jancis, Jae-Seong, Jennis, Juancho

Celebrity Babies with this Name:

James Eugene Outerbridge - son of Sarah Levy and Graham Outerbridge , born 2022
James Robert Plemons - son of Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons , born 2021
James Thomas Augustine Henrie - son of David Henrie and Maria Cahill , born 2020
James Reynolds - daughter of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds , born 2014
James Hunter Bailey Jr. - son of Devon Aoki and James Bailey , born 2011
James Hoke Dorough - son of Howie Dorough and Leigh Dorough , born 2009
James Baldwin - son of Holly Willoughby and Dan Baldwin , born 2009
James Joseph Cavanagh - son of Tom Cavanagh and Maureen Grise , born 2009
James Duggar - son of Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar , born 2001
Jackson James Daly - son of Carson Daly and Siri Pinter , born 2009
Jarvis James Hayes II - son of Jarvis Hayes and Illia Hayes , born 2009
Zachary James Kunitz - son of Chris Kunitz and Maureen Kunitz , born 2009
Kelley James Donoho - son of Holly Marie Combs and David Donoho , born 2009
August James May - son of Ralphie May and Lahna Turner , born 2009
Owen James Naughton - son of Kelli O'Hara and Greg Naughton , born 2009
Romeo James Beckham - son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham , born 2002
Harry James O'Hara - son of Danielle Lloyd and Jaime O'Hara , born 2011
Malena James Maroulis - daughter of Constantine Maroulis and Angel Reid , born 2010
Angelo James LaValle - son of Nicole (Snooki) Polizzi and Jionni LaValle , born 2019
Eva James Jenner - daughter of Brandon Jenner and Leah Felder , born 2015
Liam James Tell - son of Lauren Conrad and William Tell , born 2017
Oscar James Ramsay - son of Gordon Ramsay and Tana Ramsay , born 2019
Jayden James Federline - son of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline , born 2006
Cleo James Schulman - daughter of Nev Schulman and Laura Perlongo , born 2016
Bode James Roloff - son of Jeremy Roloff and Audrey Roloff , born 2020
Mae James Bair - daughter of Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma , born 2021
Honey James Huff - daughter of Sadie Robertson and Christian Huff , born 2021
Senna James Luyendyk - daughter of Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and Lauren Burnham , born 2021
Jett James East - son of Shawn Johnson and Andrew East , born 2021
Aidan James Hallisay - son of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brian Hallisay , born 2021
Russell (Rusty) James Fichera - son of Dylan Dreyer and Brian Fichera , born 2021
Alexander James Bass-Turchin - son of Lance Bass and Michael Turchin , born 2021
Isabella James Statham - daughter of Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , born 2022
Parker James Scott - son of Drew Scott and Linda Phan , born 2022
Ever James Houghton - son of Adrienne Bailon and Israel Houghton , born 2022
Koa James Watt - son of JJ Watt and Kealia Ohai , born 2022
Leni James Ludwig - daughter of Alexander Ludwig and Lauren Ludwig , born 2023
Gunner James Forsyth - son of Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth , born 2023
Aurora James DeLeon - daughter of Josephine Skriver and Alexander DeLeon , born 2023
Cohen Ace James Allen - son of Jimmie Allen and Alexis Gale , born 2023
Jesse James Ramsay - son of Gordon Ramsay and Tana Ramsay , born 2023
Roman James Russell - son of Jana Kramer and Allan Russell , born 2023

Stats for the Name James

checkmark James is currently #11 on the Baby Names Popularity Charts
checkmark James is currently #4 in U.S. births

Songs about James

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Cool James - Harvey Danger
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Dear James - Women in Docs
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Frank and Jesse James - Warren Zevon
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If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn - Sleeping with Sirens
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James - Billy Joel
 
James - Cluster
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James - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
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James - The Bangles
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James - The Nields
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James and the Cold Gun - Kate Bush
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James Bondage - Pansy Division
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James Brown - The Blood Brothers
 
James Caan Make Yourself at Home - Grace Gale
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James Dean - Daniel Bedingfield
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James Dean - Eagles
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James K. Polk - They Might Be Giants
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Jesse James - Bruce Springsteen
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Jesse James traditional, recorded - Woody Guthrie and The Pogues
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Jimmy James - The Beastie Boys
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Just Like Jesse James - Cher
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Little James - Oasis
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Meanwhile, Rick James - Cake
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Meet James Ensor - They Might Be Giants
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Mr. James Dean - Hilary Duff
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New James Bond - Eddie From Ohio
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Not Now James, We're Busy - Pop Will Eat Itself
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Rick James - Jude
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Rick James Style - The Lemonheads
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Robert Ford & Jesse James - David Olney
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Sweet Baby James - James Taylor
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Tad Loves Kimberly James - Actionslacks
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