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 given statistics illustrate the annual number of births with the name James in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to 1962, the number of births with the name James varied significantly year by year. The highest number of births was recorded in 1957 with 279 births, while the lowest occurred in 1941 with only 256 births.
From 1963 onwards, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name James, reaching its peak in 1969 with 354 births. This trend continued until the late 1970s when the number of births began to decline gradually.
Between 1980 and 2023, the popularity of the name James has fluctuated but remained relatively stable, ranging from a high of 317 births in 1982 to a low of 26 births in 2005. There was another peak in recent years with 85 births in 2022 and 79 births in 2023.
Overall, the name James has been given to a total of 23,759 babies in the United States between 1880 and 2023.