Jaime

Meaning & origin

Jaime has been a consistent choice for American boys since it first appeared in Social Security records in 1916. Its popularity peaked in 1976, reaching its highest rank that year, and has since experienced a gradual decline, with a falling trajectory beginning in 1993. In 2025, the name ranked 657th, with 1 in 4,067 newborn boys given the name. Geographically, Jaime has been most popular in the states of New Mexico, Texas, and California, reflecting its strong roots in Hispanic communities. The name's dual heritage, as both a Spanish form of James and a French variant of Jamie, gives it a cross-cultural appeal that has sustained its use for over a century.

In Spanish, Jaime is the equivalent of James, derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning 'may God protect' or 'one who supplants.' In French, Jaime is a variant of Jamie, originating as a diminutive of James, from Late Latin Iacomus, and can mean 'beloved' (from Latin amatus). The Spanish form has been used since medieval times, notably borne by kings of Aragon. In the United States, the name gained traction in the mid-20th century, especially among Hispanic communities.