James is a popular masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English form of the Latin name Jacobus, which was used in Britain during the medieval period. This Latin name has its roots in the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, meaning "supplanter" or "held by the heel".
The name James gained prominence through several historical figures who bore this name. One notable example is King James I of England, who ruled from 1603 to 1625. He was also the king of Scotland as James VI, having inherited the throne after the death of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots. Another significant figure is James Cook, the famous English explorer and navigator who charted much of Australia and New Zealand during the late 18th century.
Throughout history, the name James has been associated with various notable figures in literature, politics, science, and arts. Some examples include James Joyce, the renowned Irish novelist; James Watt, the Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer; and James Bond, the fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming.
Today, James remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons, ranking among the top 100 names in several English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its classic sound, rich history, and strong association with many prominent figures throughout history.
The name James experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the given time period. From 1880 to around 1960, the number of annual births named James showed considerable volatility, ranging from a low of 18 births in 1882 to a peak of 45 births in 1888 and 354 births in 1970. However, beginning in the late 1960s and throughout much of the 1970s, the number of newborn boys named James began to decline steadily. This downward trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the lowest point reached in 1992 with only 70 births.
Since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name James, although it has not returned to its peak levels from the early-to-mid 20th century. The most recent data shows that 85 boys were named James in 2022 and 79 in 2023. In total, over the entire period spanning from 1880 to 2023, there were 23,759 births registered with the name James.