Holding steady.
Popularity of Jamesa since 1970
Babies named Jamesa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 45 |
| 1980s | 87 |
| 1990s | 127 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jamesa is a rare modern elaboration of James, first recorded for girls in the United States in 1970. It saw its highest usage in 1990, but even then it stayed well outside the top 1000 names. In the 2025 data, the name remains extremely uncommon: the 1-in-N ratio is effectively zero because annual births are below the threshold for reliable calculation. Over the past three decades, its trajectory has been stable, with a few births each year but no sign of revival. The name's origin is straightforward: it feminizes James by adding the fashionable suffix -a, a pattern common in modern coinages. Jamesa has not been adopted in any top states, indicating its use is scattered nationally. As a rare name, it offers a distinctive alternative to more common feminizations like Jamesina or Jamie.
Jamesa is a modern feminine elaboration of James, which derives from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who grasps the heel'. The name first appeared in the United States in the 1970s, borne by a small but consistent number of girls. Its usage peaked in 1990, after which it declined steadily. It remains a rare name, never reaching the top 1000.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jamie, Jami, Jessa
Variants: Jamesi, Jameesa
Sibling names for Jamesa
Names that share Jamesa's style, for a brother or sister.
