MallowbyNames

James

JAYMZ · The English form of Late Latin Iacomus, a variant of Jacob, a Hebrew name traditionally explained as "holder of the heel" or "supplanter."

2025 rank (boys)
#6
Babies named in 2025
11,945
Peak popularity
1944
2025 frequency
1 in 143 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 1985

Declining since 1985, #6 for boys today.

Popularity of James since 1880

Babies named James per year in U.S. Social Security records.

31.6k63.2k94.8k1880192019602000Most births 1947Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s54,055
1890s50,723
1900s62,170
1910s275,070
1920s515,301
1930s547,479
1940s795,775
1950s843,768
1960s684,722
1970s444,713
1980s356,491
1990s244,980
2000s163,179
2010s139,689
2020s72,523

Meaning & origin

Few American names have the statistical résumé of James. It has appeared at or near the top of the national charts every single year since federal records began in 1880, peaked as the country's most-given boys' name in 1944, and in 2025 still sits at No. 6, bestowed on roughly one of every 143 newborn boys. The long arc since 1985 is technically a decline, but it is the gentlest kind: James has traded the mass saturation of the mid-century for a steadier, more evenly distributed popularity.

The name's endurance owes something to its range. It is a royal name six times over in Scotland, the name of two apostles, and the name on the 1611 English Bible; it is also Jim at the hardware store, Jimmy on the ballfield, and Jamie in a folk song. Today its strongest states are Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska, an unshowy northern spread that fits a name chosen more for durability than for fashion. For parents wanting a name that will never need explaining and never feel dated, James remains the reference point against which other classics are measured.

James descends from the Hebrew name Yaʿaqov (Jacob) by a long chain: Greek Iakobos, Late Latin Iacobus, then the variant Iacomus, which passed through Old French into English as James. The Hebrew original is traditionally tied to the word for "heel", Genesis has Jacob born grasping his twin's heel, though some scholars prefer an older sense such as "may God protect." Two of the twelve apostles bore the name, securing its place across Christian Europe. In Britain it became a royal fixture: six kings of Scotland before James VI took the English throne in 1603 and commissioned the King James Bible. In America it has been a first-rank staple for the entire span of federal records, including a long run as the top boys' name in the 1940s and early 1950s.

Read more: James on Wikipedia

Where James is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

James” around the world

Where James lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    365

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    #4

    in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #13

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    #19

    in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #15

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, Jay

Variants: Jacob, Jaime, Jacques, Giacomo, Seamus, Hamish, Diego

Famous people named James

Sibling names for James

Names that share James's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Elizabeth, Margaret, Charlotte, Jane, Caroline, Adelaide, Alison, Amy, Ann, Annabelle, Anne, April, Audrey, Barbara, Beverly, Carol, Catherine, Christy, Clare, Constance, Cynthia, Dawn, Debbie, Debra, Diana, Diane, Dianna, Dianne, Elisabeth, Ellen, Hope, Isabelle, Jacquelyn, Janice, Jayne, Jennie, Joann, Joanne, Joy, Judy, June, Katharine, Katherine, Laura, Lillie, Linda, Lydia, Mae, Marian, Martha, Mary, Maryann, Meghan, Patricia, Robin, Sandra, Sarah, Susan, Tessa, Toni, Virginia, Adelyn, Aileen, Ailene, Alianna, Anabella, Anabelle, Annabell, Annalise, Annalyse, Annamae, Annamarie, Aretha, Augusta, Barbra, Belle, Bettye, Carlene, Carlyn, Carolann, Carolynn, Catharine, Cathrine, Cathryn, Charity, Christene, Cinthia, Delina, Diann, Dona, Emelia, Emmaline, Esme, Evelin, Evelynn, Fanny, Felicity, Georganne, Georgeanna, Georgiana, Hellen, Henrietta, Ilene, Isabell, Janette, Janis, Jannette, Jaqueline, Jeanna, Joellen, Johanna, Johnette, Joi, Julianna, Kathern, Katheryn, Kathi, Kathie, Kathrine, Kathryne, Lesli, Lilian, Lilliann, Lillianna, Lisamarie, Louisa, Luann, Madeleine, Malissa, Margret, Mariann, Marjory, Marry, Maryanne, Marybelle, Marybeth, Maryellen, Maryjane, Maura, May, Melani, Nanci, Pamala, Patrica, Queen, Rhoda, Robbin, Rosalee, Rosanne, Roseann, Roseanna, Roseanne, Roselyn, Rosemarie, Ruthann, Sarabeth, Susanna, Suzan, Tena, Terese, Tess, Tonia, Vianna, Vicky, Alise, Alisia, Alys, Ammy, Angella, Anglea, Annah, Annalynn, Annmarie, Anny, Bell, Bettyann, Camelia, Carolyne, Cate, Catheryn, Charolette, Christeen, Christena, Christinia, Cristen, Daysi, Debrah, Dyana, Elease, Elizbeth, Elizebeth, Elysa, Emeli, Ena, Evalynn, Female, Gaynelle, Georgann, Georganna, Georgianne, Gracee, Graci, Halee, Ileen, Isobel, Izabell, Jacalyn, Jacki, Jamesha, Janee, Janeth, Janett, Janise, Janyce, Jaquelyn, Jeane, Jene, Jeni, Jennah, Joannie, Joeann, Johna, Joye, Jubilee, Julee, Junie, Karren, Katharyn, Katherin, Katheryne, Kathey, Kathyrn, Lady, Leslye, Lilibeth, Lilie, Lillyan, Lilyanne, Lisabeth, Loriann, Louanne, Madaline, Madelin, Madelyne, Madelynne, Madolyn, Magdalen, Magdaline, Manda, Margarett, Marijo, Marjean, Maryalice, Maryan, Maryanna, Marye, Maryelizabeth, Marygrace, Marykate, Maryland, Marylin, Marylouise, Marylyn, Marylynn, Maye, Nicol, Norene, Olyvia, Phyliss, Rosalynn, Rosann, Roselee, Rozanne, Ruthanne, Shiela, Suanne, Sueann, Susann, Suzann, Synthia, Teah, Tereasa, Theressa, Thresa, Tomie, Adelynne, Aimie, Alicen, Aliene, Ameila, Anjeanette, Annagrace, Annalicia, Annamay, Anndrea, Annelle, Aprile, Aprill, Aymee, Babara, Barbaraann, Betti, Betzy, Bridgitte, Bronte, Caraline, Carolanne, Catherin, Catherina, Celie, Charle, Charlea, Charlott, Charlotta, Cherylann, Cicily, Clarie, Cynitha, Cythia, Donnalee, Donnamarie, Eilleen, Elizabethann, Ellagrace, Ellanor, Ellenor, Emilea, Emillie, Emmaly, Emmelia, Evangelyn, Faithe, Faythe, Georgeanne, Georgian, Girl, Glori, Graceann, Graceanne, Helaina, Henryetta, Jacklin, Jacqui, Jamesia, Janeice, Jannell, Janneth, Jannett, Jeanann, Jennavieve, Jenne, Jennett, Jenney, Joane, Joeanna, Johnelle, Johnita, Joice, Jolena, Jone, Joretta, Josepha, Joyann, Katerine, Katherene, Kathren, Katty, Kristee, Laurieann, Lillyanne, Lindia, Lisaann, Liseth, Lissie, Livvy, Louellen, Madalyne, Madalynne, Magalene, Magdalyn, Maggi, Mame, Maree, Margart, Margert, Mariellen, Marrie, Marybel, Marybell, Maryhelen, Maryjean, Marykay, Mischelle, Nancey, Nancye, Patrecia, Patrisha, Pheobe, Renie, Robina, Rosaleigh, Rosary, Salley, Sallyann, Sallye, Sammye, Saralynn, Serinity, Shella, Sophy, Suann, Sueanne, Suzzanne, Tamsen, Threasa, Tinamarie, Tresia, Viviann, Wallis, Williemae, Windsor, Abryanna, Alivya, Alizon, Allis, Allyce, Ameilia, Amye, Amylee, Anabeth, Annamary, Annasophia, Annet, Annlee, Barbar, Barbarann, Beverely, Carolynne, Carrolyn, Cathe, Catheryne, Catrena, Caty, Charlett, Cherylynn, Chirstina, Chistina, Christana, Christe, Cola, Debbe, Debraann, Dejuana, Donne, Dorothye, Edlin, Eliabeth, Elizibeth, Ellamae, Elleanor, Elysabeth, Emilyanne, Emmajane, Emmalene, Emmalise, Emmalyne, Emmely, Enma, Ennifer, Evalynne, Evellyn, Faithann, Georgeann, Hallee, Hellena, Issabelle, Jackline, Jackquelyn, Jackye, Jacoba, Jacqualine, Jaine, Jamesa, Janda, Janeene, Janifer, Jannet, Jeanell, Jeania, Jeaninne, Jenie, Jeorgia, Jessamy, Joanette, Joeleen, Johnice, Jolane, Joletta, Josephene, Joyanna, Judithann, Judyann, Juliah, Juliett, Jullie, Junice, Justa, Karolynn, Kathlean, Kathye, Klair, Konstance, Laini, Lauraann, Lavren, Leslieann, Lillias, Lillieann, Lilymae, Lonia, Lynnmarie, Madaleine, Madelein, Maie, Man, Maragret, Margareth, Margaretmary, Mariaha, Marianny, Marieann, Marikay, Marrianne, Maryclare, Maryella, Marykatherine, Maryln, Marymargaret, Marynell, Maryruth, Matha, Michaelann, Michalle, Morene, Normajean, Olivianna, Patrici, Patriciaann, Roann, Rosealee, Rosely, Rosene, Rozann, Rozanna, Rushie, Saraann, Sharlie, Sharlotte, Shena, Sherrilynn, Sophiamarie, Stephenia, Susa, Susen, Tersa, Theresea, Thomasa, Thomasene, Annebelle, Edye, Jacyln, Loisann, Lucyann, Marialice, Ninamarie, Sophiarose, Thresea, Adamae, Alexandrya, Alexea, Aliese, Amybeth, Annaleese, Annely, Anniebell, Annye, Apryle, Barbarajean, Barbee, Bellagrace, Bessy, Bettymae, Bevely, Beverlyann, Bobetta, Cahterine, Carloyn, Carolan, Caterin, Catherene, Cathyann, Charlissa, Chloeann, Christean, Christmas, Christna, Cyntha, Cythnia, Danniell, Debbrah, Deborahann, Dorann, Dorethia, Dorothyann, Eleaner, Eliz, Elizabelle, Elizabth, Elizebath, Ellakate, Ellanore, Elleen, Ellianne, Elliemay, Ellierose, Ellinore, Ellizabeth, Elynore, Evalin, Eveleigh, Francys, Georgean, Gerrianne, Helyne, Hopie, Isbella, Isobella, Jacalynn, Jacqulynn, Jakki, Jamice, Janann, Janeann, Janit, Jaonna, Jassica, Jeananne, Jeanifer, Jeanita, Jenniferann, Jerianne, Jerriann, Jhoanna, Jillann, Jillyn, Joanmarie, Joeanne, Johnnette, Joyanne, Judianne, Judythe, Karenann, Kateryn, Kathee, Kathelene, Katheren, Kathreen, Kathrene, Kathyann, Khristin, Laurajean, Laurali, Laurey, Libbey, Lilliane, Lillieanna, Lissy, Lizann, Lizbett, Madalen, Maddeline, Madelline, Magdelene, Margeart, Marigene, Marigrace, Marijean, Maripat, Marisue, Marjarie, Marsheila, Marybella, Marylynne, Marypat, Melesa, Melisia, Mischell, Noele, Oliviarose, Particia, Pattiann, Phillipa, Ranie, Richardine, Rosealie, Rosealyn, Rosealynn, Rosemae, Rubylee, Ruthmary, Sandar, Sarahbeth, Scarlettrose, Shaaron, Shelie, Sheritha, Sholanda, Suzzane, Therasa, Vicke, Viriginia, Zoeann

Brothers: William, Thomas, Henry, Charles, John, Robert, Donald, Doug, Graham, Jean, Jeffrey, Joan, Johnie, Johnnie, Jon, Mathew, Matt, Micheal, Paul, Peter, Phillip, Ray, Rick, Simon, Stuart, Tony, Chas, Chistopher, Davy, Dian, Garret, Gean, Hamilton, Harris, Jeffry, Jessy, Johnpaul, Johnson, Jones, Kingsley, Little, Lyam, Pete, Rob, Robb, Russel, Stewart, Toney, Williams, Wilson, Zebedee, Alexsander, Benjamen, Bennet, Christ, Christan, Douglass, General, Geoff, Green, Hale, Henery, Jame, Jann, Jasson, Jhon, Jhonny, Joeseph, Johney, Junious, Kalib, Keneth, Kenith, Male, Matthews, Micahel, Nicklaus, Nickolaus, Phillips, Wiliam, Willaim, Willam, Willian, Wm, Young, Alexandar, Andreus, Andrews, Anthoni, Boy, Bright, Carlous, Carlus, Charls, Chriss, Christapher, Christipher, Christohper, Christop, Daivd, Donnald, Donold, Edwards, Elija, Elven, Geroge, Hansford, Henrry, Jearld, Jeffrie, Jefrey, Jerman, Jhonathan, Jhony, Johnluke, Johnn, Johnney, Jonn, Keene, Kennieth, Kennis, Martyn, Mathews, Mattew, Michaell, Nichalos, Nicholi, Nicholis, Nicholos, Nichols, Nicholus, Pleas, Purcell, Richrd, Roben, Roberts, Robet, Robt, Rodgers, Simpson, Son, Steffon, Stephens, Stephone, Theon, Thomes, Trebor, Watt, York, Alexande, Anothony, Antion, Arris, Bond, Chales, Chistian, Christoher, Christropher, Chritopher, Chrles, Dougles, Edwar, Flem, Fread, Gabreal, Goerge, Hristopher, Jabes, Janes, Jasan, Jenkins, Jeoffrey, Jeorge, Jermy, Johnpatrick, Johnta, Joseth, Josph, Jushua, Kenneith, Larwence, Matheu, Michaeljohn, Mitcheal, Niccolas, Nicklos, Nickoles, Ollivander, Piers, Press, Ralston, Ricahrd, Richad, Ricke, Robertson, Roosvelt, Royer, Sims, Stephenson, Timohty, Willim, Willliam, Willson, Alecxander, Anothy, Charlies, Chrsitopher, Williom, Abem, Alekxander, Anthonny, Bunyan, Charels, Chrisotpher, Christophere, Crit, Garrus, Geoge, Harvy, Janmichael, Jefferie, Joeph, Johnchristopher, Johnrobert, Jonh, Jonluke, Kingjames, Lc, Mann, Markes, Mattheu, Michaeal, Michall, Nichlos, Nickalous, Nikolus, Nocholas, Paulanthony, Roberth, Sircharles, Thoams, Thomos, Thoms, Thos, Topher, Ustin, Wing

Names like James

Names whose popularity has moved with James's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for James, our favorite little boy.

J is for James…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, James's letter becomes James's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make James's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does James mean?
James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob, traditionally explained as "holder of the heel" or "supplanter" from the Genesis story of Jacob and Esau.
How popular is James?
James ranked No. 6 nationally in 2025, given to about one of every 143 boys born. Its single biggest year was 1944, when it topped the American charts.
Is James ever used for girls?
Occasionally, a handful of high-profile parents have used James for daughters, but it remains overwhelmingly a boys' name in the data.
What are common nicknames for James?
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, and Jay are the traditional short forms; many bearers now simply go by James.
What sibling names pair well with James?
Other enduring classics work best: William, Henry, or Thomas for brothers; Elizabeth, Charlotte, or Jane for sisters.