James

“Variant of Jacob — Supplanter, or holder of the heel” — Hebrew, via Greek and Latin origin

Girl's name · #2873 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Few names move less than James — on the books since 1880, #2873 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 24,000 girls share it. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. About 99% of babies named James in recent years have been boys. James's short forms are Jamie, Jazz, Jaz, Jimmi, and Jem. About 840 girls a year are given Jamie as their full name.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 4 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Jameses

James Dwight Dana — American mineralogist, scientist and zoologist (1813-1895)
James Brown — Nigerian internet personality
James Johnson — Nigerian football player
James Nares — British born artist living and working in New York City since 1974 (born 1953)
James Majoos — Australian actor

In stories & tradition

James the Red Engine — Thomas & Friends · The Railway Series
James Martinez — NYPD Blue
James Bond Jr. — James Bond universe

What Jameses become

Among 28,149 notable people named James:

Similar names: Jamie · Roslyn · Jayne · Joanie · Doris · Janet

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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