James
James is a Christian boy name of Hebrew, via Latin origin, meaning “Supplanter; held by the heel”.
| Meaning | Supplanter; held by the heel |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew, via Latin |
| Pronunciation | JAYMZ |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of James
James comes from Late Latin Iacomus, a form of Iacobus, which is the Latin version of the Hebrew Yaakov, Jacob. The usual explanation links it to the Hebrew word for heel, recalling Jacob holding his twin Esau's heel, and to the idea of one who supplants. Two of Jesus' apostles were called James, and the name was carried by kings of Scotland and England, including James VI and I, after whom the King James Bible is named.
Is James a Christian name?
James is a biblical name: two apostles bear it, as does James the brother of Jesus, traditionally the author of the Letter of James. It is the same name as Jacob in origin.
How popular is James?
One of the most enduring boy's names in the English-speaking world.
Gifts with the name James
- James name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised James baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of James
Names similar to James
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name James mean?
James means 'Supplanter; held by the heel'. It is of Hebrew, via Latin origin.
Is James a Christian name?
James is a biblical name: two apostles bear it, as does James the brother of Jesus, traditionally the author of the Letter of James. It is the same name as Jacob in origin.
How do you pronounce James?
James is pronounced JAYMZ.
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is usually a boy name.