Boy · 503rd of 10,718
Jamey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
9,777
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1976
Peak Popularity Year
576
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jamey 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
Jamey is a modern variant of James, rooted in Hebrew origins with the meaning of 'supplanter.' It has evolved through various languages, starting from Yaakov in Hebrew to its current form in English. The name is often perceived as friendly and youthful, gaining popularity in the 20th century. While it does not have a direct biblical background, it is associated with the biblical name Jacob. Notable people with this name include country singer Jamey Johnson and educator Jamey Aebersold.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒeɪmi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Jamey is a variant of the name James, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.'
Meaning
supplanter
Language Evolution
Yaakov (Hebrew), Iakobos (Greek), Iacomus (Latin), James (Old French), Jamey (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Jamey began to gain popularity as a diminutive form of James in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
James, Jamie, Jaimie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jamey is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with a youthful and modern image.
Famous People
Jamey Johnson, American country music singer-songwriter, Jamey Aebersold, American jazz saxophonist and educator
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 576 peak births in 1976
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in Alabama
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 21 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1349th of 7552 | 629 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 503rd of 10718 | 4,154 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1147th of 16616 | 1,308 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3750th of 24088 | 395 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4833rd of 23106 | 240 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7165th of 9204 | 16 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2489th of 12526 | 389 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1440th of 19264 | 1,163 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2131st of 27321 | 914 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4703rd of 35406 | 453 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10406th of 30306 | 111 |