Origin, Meaning, And History Of James
A variant of the much-adored boy name Jacob, James is a name of Hebrew origin. Like Jacob, it means ‘supplanter.’ James is the English version of the Latin name ‘Iacomus.’ Iacomus, which is a variation of the Biblical Latin term Iacobus, derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov.
James is a biblical name. In the Christian Bible’s New Testament, there are three James, among which two are apostles. The final -s in this first name are characteristic of the words taken from Old French. James also has Scottish roots and royal undercurrents. Prominent figures, such as King James VI, who took over the English throne in the 17th century, made this name a part of royal courts.
The name comes with a long list of variations. It is Giacomo in Italian, Iago in Welsh, and Jacques in French. Jakob is the German and Polish variation of the name, while Jaime is the Spanish form of the moniker. The name also has an Irish version, spelled as Séamas.
Some of the most notable name bearers of James in history include the English explorer Captain James Cook, the Scottish inventor James Watt, and the Irish poet James Joyce. There are and have been plenty of famous personalities with this name. However, James Brolin, James Brown, and James Cameron are the most well-known figures in the entertainment industry who may have contributed to the popularity of the name in the US. Acclaimed writers such as James Baldwin and James Patterson are other notable mentions.
Who can forget James Bond, the fictional British secret agent who has been featured in various films, stories, and novels for over seven decades? Similar is the case with the protagonist James in Roald Dahl’s hit book, James and the Giant Peach. This sweet masculine name is undoubtedly one with widespread appeal.
How To Pronounce James?
Famous People With The Name James
- James Brown20th-century American musical artist, one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- James BuchananLawyer, diplomat, and the 15th President of the US
- James Marshall HendrixAmerican musician regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history
- James MonroeAmerican politician and the 5th President of the US
- James Earl JonesAmerican actor and voice artist known for his deep bass voice
- James TaylorAmerican singer and songwriter, six-time Grammy Award winner
- James CameronAcademy Award-winning Canadian filmmaker
- James Madison4th United States President, hailed as the ‘Father of the Constitution’
- King James I of EnglandThe namesake of King James in Bible
- James Dean20th-century American actor
James On The Popularity Chart
The popularity of the name James was at an all-time high in the 1980s. The chart below documents its popularity trends.
Popularity Over Time
The name’s popularity gradually declined From 1998 onward. Check out the graph below to understand its popularity over time.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time As James
James was a popular boy name in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the usage of the name saw a sharp decline in the recent years.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As James
James is an easy-to-pronounce name. If you want to find names that sound like James, take a look at the list below.
Popular Sibling Names For James
Names With Similar Meaning
There are so many other baby names that mean the same as James. Find your pick from the ones listed below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
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Name Numerology For James
