James is a popular and historic given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English form "James," which evolved from the Old French name "Jacmes." This name has a Latin origin, being a variant of the Late Latin name "Jacobus," which was itself derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'aqov."
The name James means "supplanter" or "may God protect." This meaning is derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, which refers to the biblical Jacob, who was born holding onto his twin brother Esau's heel, hence the meaning of "supplanter." The addition of "God protect" comes from the fact that Jacob later received a new name and blessing from God.
The name James has been popular throughout history. It was borne by several early Christian saints, including Saint James the Great, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, who was martyred in Jerusalem. This saint is believed to have been the brother of John the Evangelist and son of Zebedee. He is also considered the patron saint of Spain, where he is known as Santiago Matamoros.
In medieval England, James was a common name among nobility. It was borne by several kings of Scotland, including James I (1394-1437) and James VI (1566-1625), who also became King James I of England in 1603. This latter monarch is famous for commissioning the translation of the Bible that bears his name: the King James Version.
The popularity of the name James has continued into modern times. It was among the top ten most popular boys' names in the United States from the 1950s to the late 1980s, and it remains a common choice today. Notable figures named James include James Bond, the fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming; James Dean, the iconic American actor of the 1950s; and James Brown, the influential singer and songwriter known as the "Godfather of Soul."
In summary, James is an historic given name of English origin with Latin roots. It means "supplanter" or "may God protect," and it has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including saints, kings, and famous individuals in literature and entertainment.
"Only six people named Jjames were born annually in 1958."