James
Hebrew boy's name meaning “supplanter”
- Gender
- Boy
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- supplanter
- Syllables
- 2
- Letters
- 5
- US rank (2023)
- #4
- Born in 2023
- 11,727
- Peak year
- 2018 (#4)
Meaning & origin
James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles.
Is James a Hebrew name?
Yes — James is a Hebrew name meaning "supplanter". James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles. You may also see it described as biblical, which refer to the same root.
Popularity
In the latest US data, James ranked #4 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 11,727 US boys were given the name James.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #4 in 2018
“Unranked” means James was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more boy names starting with J.
How to spell James
James is spelled J-A-M-E-S — 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Nicknames
Jim, Jamie, Jimmy
James: frequently asked questions
What does the name James mean?
James is a Hebrew name meaning "supplanter". James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles.
Where does the name James come from?
James is of Hebrew origin. James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles.
Is James a boy or a girl name?
James is most commonly a boy's name.
How many babies are named James?
In 2023, 11,727 US boys were given the name James.
Is James a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, James ranked #4 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for James?
Common nicknames for James include Jim, Jamie, Jimmy.
How do you spell James?
James is spelled J-A-M-E-S — 5 letters.
How common is the name James?
In 2023, 11,727 US boys were given the name James. In the latest US data, James ranked #4 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is James a Hebrew name?
Yes — James is a Hebrew name meaning "supplanter". James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles. You may also see it described as biblical, which refer to the same root.
What does James mean in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, James means "supplanter". James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel'. It has been borne by kings and two apostles.
Is James a biblical name?
James is usually classified as Hebrew, and biblical belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as biblical too. It means "supplanter".