Declining since 1985, #6 for boys today.
Popularity of James since 1880
Babies named James per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 54,055 |
| 1890s | 50,723 |
| 1900s | 62,170 |
| 1910s | 275,070 |
| 1920s | 515,301 |
| 1930s | 547,479 |
| 1940s | 795,775 |
| 1950s | 843,768 |
| 1960s | 684,722 |
| 1970s | 444,713 |
| 1980s | 356,491 |
| 1990s | 244,980 |
| 2000s | 163,179 |
| 2010s | 139,689 |
| 2020s | 72,523 |
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.
“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
- James Baldwin · novelist and essayist
- James Madison · fourth president of the United States
- James Brown · singer known as the Godfather of Soul
- James Dean · 1950s film actor
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.

