James

Pronunciation: [ j-AYMZ ]

Girl Name #2,583 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

A bold, boundary-breaking name that refuses to be gendered

English American Irish Scottish

Bold Strong Modern Classic Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"holder of the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of James

James is traditionally a boys name derived from the Late Latin Jacomus, a variant of Jacobus, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob) meaning supplanter. In recent years, James has joined the growing trend of traditionally male names being given to girls — a movement led by celebrities and a broader cultural shift toward gender-fluid naming. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their daughter James in 2014, propelling the name to unprecedented visibility as a girls name.

James for girls skyrocketed in 2014 when Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their daughter James. The bold choice sparked a trend and appeared on many celebrity-naming lists. The name sits at an interesting intersection: completely classic for boys for centuries, yet strikingly fresh and modern for girls, offering a tomboy-cool vibe that many parents find irresistible.

James has been one of the most enduring masculine names in English-speaking history, borne by six kings of England and Scotland, two US presidents, and countless literary figures. Using it for a girl is a deliberate, confident statement — a name that refuses to be categorized.

Fun Facts

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their daughter James in 2014, triggering a wave of girls named James
James is the name of two apostles in the New Testament, making it sacred in Christian tradition
Six kings of Scotland and one of England bore the name James, giving it strong royal associations

James in Other Languages

Irish Séamas

French Jacques

Italian Giacomo

Spanish Jaime

Portuguese Jaime

Famous People Named James

James (daughter of Ryan Reynolds)

Other

2014

Daughter of actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, whose birth catalyzed the trend of James as a girls name

James Baldwin

Writer

1924

Influential American novelist and social critic, author of Go Tell It on the Mountain and The Fire Next Time

James Bond Fictional

Other

British fictional secret agent, the protagonist of Ian Flemings spy novels and the long-running film franchise

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #2,583
Total SSA Count: 68
Cultural Origins: English American Irish Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Jamie Jay Jamesie

Pairs Well With

James Rose James Elizabeth James Claire James Anne James Grace James Louise

Sibling Names

Charlie Henry Oliver Elliot George Phoebe Harriet

Also a Boy Name

James is also used as a boy name, ranked #5.

View James as a boy name →

Similar Names

Amy Janie Jean June Aimee Joan James Jimmie

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About James

What does the name James mean?

"holder of the heel" (from Hebrew). James is traditionally a boys name derived from the Late Latin Jacomus, a variant of Jacobus, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob) meaning supplanter. In recent years, James has joined the growing trend of traditionally male names being given to girls — a movement led by celebrities and a broader cultural shift toward gender-fluid naming. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their daughter James in 2014, propelling the name to unprecedented visibility as a girls name.

What is the origin of the name James?

James has Hebrew, English, American, Irish, and Scottish origins. In Hebrew, it means "holder of the heel".

Is James a boy or girl name?

James is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2583. As a boy name, it is ranked #5. James is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce James?

James is pronounced j-AYMZ.

How popular is the name James?

James is currently ranked #2583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for James?

Common nicknames for James include Jamie, Jay, and Jamesie.

What are good middle names for James?

Popular middle name pairings include James Rose, James Elizabeth, James Claire, James Anne, James Grace, and James Louise.

What are good sibling names for James?

Names that pair well with James as siblings include Charlie, Henry, Oliver, Elliot, George, Phoebe, and Harriet.

How many syllables does James have?

James has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is James a common or rare name?

James is an uncommon name, ranked #2583 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name James

James is a girl name with English, American, Irish, and Scottish origins . The name means "holder of the heel" in Hebrew .

Is James a boy or girl name? James is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,583 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #5. James is more commonly used as a boy name.

James is currently ranked #2,583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name James has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-AYMZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for James include Jamie, Jay, and Jamesie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.