A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Jamey since 1944
Babies named Jamey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 50 | 18 |
| 1950s | 204 | 257 |
| 1960s | 352 | 907 |
| 1970s | 876 | 3,422 |
| 1980s | 688 | 1,095 |
| 1990s | 413 | 498 |
| 2000s | 295 | 236 |
| 2010s | 135 | 203 |
| 2020s | 40 | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Jamey first entered U.S. birth records in 1944, peaking in popularity during 1976. After a period of decline, it has been rising again since 2013. As of 2025, it ranked 4249th, with roughly 1 in every 71,170 newborns receiving the name. Its revival owes partly to the enduring appeal of vintage nickname-names like Jamie, from which Jamey is a playful spelling variant. The name is unisex and has been borne steadily across the decades, never reaching the upper tiers but maintaining a consistent, modest presence.
Jamey is a diminutive and variant of the name James, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows.' The name James was introduced to England via the Normans and became extremely popular; Jamey emerged as a familiar, affectionate form, sometimes used as an independent given name in the mid-20th century.
Where Jamey 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jay, Jam
Sibling names for Jamey
Names that share Jamey's style, for a brother or sister.
