James is a popular masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English form "James," which was itself taken from the Latin "Jacobus." This Latin form is a translation of the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," which means "supplanter" or "seize by the heel."
The name James has been widely used throughout history and has appeared in various forms across different cultures. In the Bible, James is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to spread his teachings. This figure may have contributed to the popularity of the name among Christians.
In medieval England, the name James was often associated with royalty. Several kings of Scotland bore this name, including King James I, who ruled from 1424 until his death in 1437. Additionally, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603 when he ascended to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth I.
Today, James remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names given to boys in the United States since record-keeping began in the early 20th century. The name also enjoys popularity in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In summary, James is a classic masculine given name with roots tracing back to ancient Hebrew origins. It has been widely used throughout history by various cultures and figures, including biblical apostles and royal monarchs. Today, it continues to be a popular choice for baby boys around the world.
The name James experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the years, peaking in the early 1940s with a total of 1,186,397 births during that decade alone. However, from the 1970s onwards, there was a steady decline in its usage, with only 253,592 births recorded between 2000 and 2023 combined. As of 2023, the name James has been given to a total of 5,226,569 individuals since these records began.