The story behind James
The English New Testament form of Jacob, from Middle English James, from Old French James, from Vulgar Latin Iācōmus, spoken and altered pronunciation of Latin Iācōbus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Biblical Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ, literally “May He Heel”), from the third-person singular masculine imperfective form of the Semitic verb "to heel" (with various meanings), in turn from עָקֵב (ʿāqēḇ, “heel of the foot”). Doublet of Jacques, Jacob, Iago, Jago, Yago, Hamish, Seamus, Tiago, Santiago, and Yaakov.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
French entry
From Old French James, from Vulgar Latin Iacomus, spoken and altered pronunciation of Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿăqōḇ).
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /d͡ʒeɪmz/
Regional pronunciation variants
- French: /dʒɛms/
- French: /ʒam/
Popularity
James ranked #2873 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Nicknames
Variants and Related Forms
Names Similar to James
Agnes
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”). Doublet of Inez.…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Andrés
Borrowed from Latin Andreās, Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas), compare English Andrew and Italian Andrea. Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ares
From Ancient Greek Ἄρης (Árēs).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Claus
From Dutch and German Claus, a contraction of Nicolaus (“Nicholas”). The spelling Klaus is from more modern German Klaus and other Germanic languages.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Crates
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Κρᾰ́της (Krắtēs).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Dimes
From Latin Dymas, from Ancient Greek Δυσμάς (Dusmás, “to the west”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for James
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ábel
From Hebrew הבל (Hebel).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for James
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length