James
James is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Supplanter or held by the heel.
Origin and history
James is a classic English masculine name derived from the Hebrew name Jacob. It is the most popular male given name in published U.S. birth records since 1880. It remains a timeless and widely favored choice in modern times.
Popularity in the United States
5,250,638 babies in the United States have been named James since 1880. It ranks #1 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #4.
States where it is most popular
- NY (6.9 %)
- PA (6 %)
- CA (5.7 %)
- TX (5.6 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 54,055 |
| 1890-1900 | 50,723 |
| 1900-1910 | 62,170 |
| 1910-1920 | 275,070 |
| 1920-1930 | 515,301 |
| 1930-1940 | 547,479 |
| 1940-1950 | 795,775 |
| 1950-1960 | 843,768 |
| 1960-1970 | 684,722 |
| 1970-1980 | 444,713 |
| 1980-1990 | 356,491 |
| 1990-2000 | 244,980 |
| 2000-2010 | 163,179 |
| 2010-2019 | 139,689 |
| 2020-2029 | 72,523 |
Famous people named James
- James Madison: President, Founding Father
- James Baldwin: Author, Activist
- James Dean: Actor
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie
Fun facts
- James holds the number one cumulative spot for male births in the U.S. since 1880.
- The name has been borne by several kings of Scotland and England, including King James I.