James
supplanter
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Religion
- Christian
- Gender
- Boy
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Pronunciation
- JAYMZ
- Popularity
- stable
Common nicknames
JimJamieJay
About the name James
James is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter". It is most commonly used in Christian families and is especially popular in United Kingdom.
James descends from Jacob through Latin Iacomus, which is why Jacob, Santiago, Jacques and James are all the same name in different languages. It has never left the English top 20 in recorded naming history and has been used by six kings of Scotland and two of England. In the last decade it has also become a fairly common girls' name in the US.
Variants and spellings: Jacob, Iago, Santiago, Jacques.
Popularity trend: James has held a steady level of use rather than spiking or fading.
Reviewed by the Babbloom Editorial Team. Read our editorial methodology.
Frequently asked about James
- What does the name James mean?
- James means "supplanter". It's a boy name of Hebrew origin, most commonly used in Christian families and popular in United Kingdom.
- Where does the name James come from?
- James originates from Hebrew. On Babbloom it's classified in the Christian naming tradition.
- Is James a boy or girl name?
- James is a boy name.