Boy · 1st of 7,552
James
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
5,262,396
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
95,020
Peak Births
Generational story
Where James stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name James has its origins in Hebrew, meaning 'supplanter.' It evolved through various languages, from Yaakov to Iacobus to Jacques, before becoming James in English. The name is significant in biblical contexts and has gained historical popularity, particularly due to the King James Bible. Today, it is associated with positive traits and is popular in modern culture, with notable figures bearing the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒeɪmz/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name James is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' It was Latinized as Iacobus and later evolved into the Old French name Jacques, before finally becoming James in English.
Meaning
Supplanter
Language Evolution
Yaakov (Hebrew), Iacobus (Latin), Jacques (Old French), James (Middle English)
Biblical Background
James is a significant biblical name, borne by several figures in the New Testament, including James the Just, who is considered an important leader in the early Christian church.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world after the translation of the Bible into English, particularly the King James Version published in 1611, which elevated its status.
Variants & Derivatives
Jim, Jimmy, Jaime, Santiago
Modern Popularity & Image
James remains a widely used and respected name today, often associated with strength and reliability. It is perceived positively and frequently appears in popular culture.
Famous People
James Madison, James Monroe, James Dean, James Cameron, James Earl Jones
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 95,020 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3rd of 7545 | 740,411 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2nd of 6773 | 1,090,469 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1st of 7552 | 1,571,074 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3rd of 10718 | 799,148 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7th of 16616 | 503,495 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17th of 24088 | 262,449 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4th of 23106 | 159,500 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 447th of 9107 | 4,024 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 400th of 9204 | 5,281 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 570th of 12526 | 5,024 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 596th of 19264 | 4,654 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 975th of 27321 | 2,876 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3617th of 35406 | 645 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2810th of 30306 | 732 |