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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Heel-grabber, traditionally rendered 'supplanter' (same root as Jacob)
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- JAYMZ
James is a Hebrew boy's name pronounced JAYMZ (/ˈdʒeɪmz/), traditionally rendered as 'supplanter' from a root meaning 'heel-grabber' — the same root behind the name Jacob. It fits both a clean, modern and timeless, classic style, which is a fairly rare combination for a name with this much history behind it.
Meaning & Origin of James
Meaning: Heel-grabber, traditionally rendered 'supplanter' (same root as Jacob).
Origin: Hebrew.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce James
JAYMZIPA /ˈdʒeɪmz/
Popularity of James
James hit its all-time peak at #1 in 1940, with 62,481 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled to #5 with 11,793 babies, still a top-five name after more than a century in the SSA's 1880-2024 records.
Names Like James
These names share James’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name James mean?
Heel-grabber, traditionally rendered ‘supplanter’ (same root as Jacob). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce James?
James is pronounced JAYMZ (IPA: /ˈdʒeɪmz/).
Is James a popular name right now?
James peaked at #1 in 1940 and is ranked #5 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make James Name Art
Free printable nursery art for James, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is James? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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