James
How to say it: JAYMZ · /ˈdʒeɪmz/
He who supplants — a Latin form (Jacobus → Jacomus → James) of the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob).
James was the 8th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 11,945 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1940s, its births are down about 20% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #12 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #8 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 11,945 |
| Share of births | 1 in 277 |
| Peak decade | 1940s |
| Change over 10 years | −20% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #12 |
| In France, 2025 | #171 among boys’ names, 365 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long held at the top, James reached its height in the 1940s. It now stands far below that peak at #8 and is expected to slip further.
What goes with it
Said JAYMZ with a breathy finish, it feels strong and at home across borders. Jim shares its spirit and William sits nearby in style.
Middle names that flow with James →
Nicknames
- Jim
- Jimmy
- Jamie
- Jay
Honouring a James in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called James is about 1 in 12.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew.
In France: #171 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #42. Ireland: #4.
Famous people named James
- James Joyce (1882–1941)Irish novelist and poet
- James Cook (1728–1779)British explorer, cartographer and naval officer
- James Madison (1751–1836)President of the United States from 1809 to 1817
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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