James Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
James is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell James?
James is spelled J-A-M-E-S. The name has 5 letters.
James at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- James derives from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter” or “one who follows.”
- Origin
- James is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Jacob and has been adopted in English and other languages through Latin and Greek forms.
- Pronunciation
- JAYMZ · 1 syllable
James Popularity in 2025
Rank#2,859
Recorded Births59
Rank#6
Recorded Births11,945
- Girls usage fell 274 places to #2,859 and recorded 9 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 1 place to #6 and recorded 89 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name James Mean?
James derives from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter” or “one who follows.”
Origin: James is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Jacob and has been adopted in English and other languages through Latin and Greek forms.
How Do You Pronounce James?
PronunciationJAYMZ
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name James?
- History
- The name James appears in English-speaking contexts influenced by biblical texts and has been borne by various historical figures including monarchs and saints.
James Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 59 | #2,859 |
| 2025 | Boys | 11,945 | #6 |
| 2024 | Girls | 68 | #2,585 |
| 2024 | Boys | 11,856 | #5 |
| 2023 | Girls | 79 | #2,314 |
| 2023 | Boys | 11,739 | #4 |
| 2022 | Girls | 85 | #2,208 |
| 2022 | Boys | 12,119 | #4 |
| 2021 | Girls | 68 | #2,558 |
| 2021 | Boys | 12,474 | #5 |
| 2020 | Girls | 66 | #2,580 |
| 2020 | Boys | 12,390 | #6 |
| 2019 | Girls | 68 | #2,561 |
| 2019 | Boys | 13,198 | #6 |
| 2018 | Girls | 45 | #3,438 |
| 2018 | Boys | 13,650 | #4 |
| 2017 | Girls | 77 | #2,357 |
| 2017 | Boys | 14,362 | #4 |
| 2016 | Girls | 67 | #2,617 |
| 2016 | Boys | 14,920 | #5 |
| 2015 | Girls | 39 | #3,842 |
| 2015 | Boys | 14,865 | #7 |
| 2014 | Girls | 42 | #3,652 |
| 2014 | Boys | 14,464 | #9 |
When Was James Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Boys
94,767 recorded births
National rank #1
1948 · Boys
88,605 recorded births
National rank #1
1946 · Boys
87,438 recorded births
National rank #1
1951 · Boys
87,256 recorded births
National rank #1
Where James Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MS | #1 | 160 |
| WY | #2 | 25 |
| AL | #3 | 292 |
| LA | #3 | 187 |
| TN | #4 | 385 |
| SC | #4 | 250 |
| CT | #4 | 156 |
| NH | #4 | 65 |