James is a popular masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English form "James," which was itself taken from the Latin "Jacobus." This Latin form is a translation of the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," which means "supplanter" or "seize by the heel."
The name James has been widely used throughout history and has appeared in various forms across different cultures. In the Bible, James is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to spread his teachings. This figure may have contributed to the popularity of the name among Christians.
In medieval England, the name James was often associated with royalty. Several kings of Scotland bore this name, including King James I, who ruled from 1424 until his death in 1437. Additionally, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603 when he ascended to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth I.
Today, James remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names given to boys in the United States since record-keeping began in the early 20th century. The name also enjoys popularity in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In summary, James is a classic masculine given name with roots tracing back to ancient Hebrew origins. It has been widely used throughout history by various cultures and figures, including biblical apostles and royal monarchs. Today, it continues to be a popular choice for baby boys around the world.
The given statistics illustrate the popularity of the name "James" among boys born in the United States over a span of nearly two centuries, from the late 1820s to the early 2020s.
From the late 1820s until around the mid-1930s, the number of newborn boys named James remained relatively stable, with annual totals ranging between approximately 4,000 and 7,000. This period coincided with the Victorian era in America, during which traditional names like James were quite popular.
In the mid-1930s, there was a notable decline in the number of newborn boys named James. This decrease may have been influenced by societal shifts away from classic naming trends and towards more modern or unique choices.
The trend continued to decrease until the late 1950s, when the popularity of the name James began to rise again. Between the mid-1960s and early 2000s, the number of newborn boys named James fluctuated between roughly 8,000 and 13,000 per year. This period saw a resurgence in traditional naming trends across various cultures.
However, starting around the late 1970s, there was another decline in the popularity of the name James among newborn boys in America. This downward trend continued until the mid-2010s when the number of newborn boys named James began to rise once more. Since then, the popularity of the name has remained relatively steady with annual totals ranging between approximately 9,000 and 13,000.
Overall, while the name James has experienced periods of increased and decreased popularity over time, it remains a classic choice among American parents, having been given to well over five million boys born in the United States since the late 1820s.