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Jamie

Pronunciation: [ j-AYM-ee ]

Girl Name #717 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

The friendly Scottish classic that belongs to everyone

English Scottish Irish American
Classic Playful Gentle Modern Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"supplanter, one who follows"
Origin: Hebrew Yaakov via James
Language: English
"beloved (folk etymology)"
Origin: Scottish diminutive
Language: Scottish English

The Story of Jamie

Jamie is a Scottish/English diminutive of James, which derives from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning supplanter or one who follows at the heel. The name James itself came to English via Latin Jacobus and Old French Jaime. Jamie began as a Scottish nickname for James before evolving into an independent given name used for both boys and girls.

Jamie surged as a girls name in the 1970s-1990s as gender-neutral names became fashionable. The character Jamie Sommers in The Bionic Woman (1976) helped establish it as feminine. More recently, Jamie Fraser from Outlander (2014-) has made it feel simultaneously masculine and gender-fluid.

In Scotland, Jamie has been a beloved pet form of James since medieval times. As a womens name, it represents the late 20th-century trend of embracing traditionally male names for girls — a trend that continues today.

Fun Facts

  • Jamie Lee Curtis has carried the name to multiple generations of fans through horror and comedy films
  • Jamie is one of fewer than 50 names used equally for boys and girls in the United States
  • The name appears in multiple Outlander novels and the TV series, giving it renewed romantic associations

Jamie in Other Languages

French Jacques (origin)
Hebrew Yaakov (origin)
Italian Giacomo (origin)
Spanish Jaime
Portuguese Jaime

Famous People Named Jamie

J

Jamie Oliver

Other

1975

British celebrity chef and food activist known for making cooking accessible worldwide

J

Jamie Lee Curtis

Actor

1958

Academy Award-winning American actress known for Halloween, True Lies, and Everything Everywhere All at Once

J

Jamie Fraser Fictional

Other

Fictional Scottish Highland warrior from Diana Gabaldons Outlander series, one of romance fictions most beloved heroes

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#717
Total SSA Count
391
Cultural Origins
English Scottish Irish American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Jay Jae

Pairs Well With

Jamie Lynn Jamie Rose Jamie Anne Jamie Nicole Jamie Grace Jamie Lee Jamie Brooke

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Jamie is also used as a boy name, ranked #625.

View Jamie as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jamie

What does the name Jamie mean?
"supplanter, one who follows" (from Hebrew Yaakov via James). "beloved (folk etymology)" (from Scottish diminutive). Jamie is a Scottish/English diminutive of James, which derives from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning supplanter or one who follows at the heel. The name James itself came to English via Latin Jacobus and Old French Jaime. Jamie began as a Scottish nickname for James before evolving into an independent given name used for both boys and girls.
What is the origin of the name Jamie?
Jamie has Hebrew Yaakov via James, Scottish diminutive, English, Scottish, Irish, and American origins. In Hebrew Yaakov via James, it means "supplanter, one who follows". In Scottish diminutive, it means "beloved (folk etymology)".
Is Jamie a boy or girl name?
Jamie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #717. As a boy name, it is ranked #625. Jamie is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jamie?
Jamie is pronounced j-AYM-ee.
How popular is the name Jamie?
Jamie is currently ranked #717 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jamie?
Common nicknames for Jamie include Jay and Jae.
What are good middle names for Jamie?
Popular middle name pairings include Jamie Lynn, Jamie Rose, Jamie Anne, Jamie Nicole, Jamie Grace, Jamie Lee, and Jamie Brooke.
What are good sibling names for Jamie?
Names that pair well with Jamie as siblings include Taylor, Jordan, Riley, Casey, Alex, Morgan, and Peyton.
How many syllables does Jamie have?
Jamie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jamie a common or rare name?
Jamie is moderately common, ranked #717 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Jamie

Jamie is a girl name with English, Scottish, Irish, and American origins . The name means "supplanter, one who follows" in Hebrew Yaakov via James .

Is Jamie a boy or girl name? Jamie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #717 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #625. Jamie is more commonly used as a boy name.

Jamie is currently ranked #717 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Jamie has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AYM-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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

Alternative spellings of Jamie include Jamila, Jamiyah, Jamilah, Jamia, Jamiah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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