"holder of the heel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
James
Pronunciation: [ j-AYMZ ]
Does James flow with your last name?
A bold, boundary-breaking name that refuses to be gendered
English
American
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Scottish
Bold
Strong
Modern
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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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.
Historical Record
James first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 12,916 babies have been named James in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, James is past its peak , currently ranked #2,583 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#2,583
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for James
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
James is also used as a boy name, ranked #5.
View James as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English origin
"ivy plant, faithfulness"
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Latin origin
"clear, bright, famous"
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis