James
Peaked at #1 nationally in 1940, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, James has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob, arriving via the Late Latin Iacomus. It's traditionally glossed as "supplanter" or "one who follows," referencing the Old Testament story of Jacob grasping his twin brother Esau's heel at birth.
Notable people & culture
James is a royal name — King James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603 and later commissioned the King James Bible (1611), one of the most influential English translations. Unlike most historically popular names, James has never left the U.S. top 20 for boys across 140+ years of SSA data, making it one of the most consistently popular names on record; notable modern bearers include James Dean and James Brown.
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James — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#319
in 1928
Current rank
#2580
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, James reached its peak popularity for girls in 1928, ranking #319 nationally with 427 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #3680 (2014) to #2580 (2024) — a 30% improvement.
As of 2024, James ranks #2580 nationally for girls, with 68 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #2,580 | 68 |
| 2023 | #2,322 | 79 |
| 2022 | #2,216 | 85 |
| 2021 | #2,567 | 68 |
| 2020 | #2,581 | 66 |
| 2019 | #2,576 | 68 |
| 2018 | #3,458 | 45 |
| 2017 | #2,367 | 77 |
James — Boys (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#1
in 1940
Current rank
#5
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, James reached its peak popularity for boys in 1940, ranking #1 nationally with 62,481 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #9 (2014) to #5 (2024) — a 44% improvement.
As of 2024, James ranks #5 nationally for boys, with 11,793 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #5 | 11,793 |
| 2023 | #4 | 11,727 |
| 2022 | #4 | 12,109 |
| 2021 | #5 | 12,464 |
| 2020 | #6 | 12,381 |
| 2019 | #6 | 13,193 |
| 2018 | #4 | 13,642 |
| 2017 | #4 | 14,357 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was James most popular?
James was most popular in 1940, when it ranked #1 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is James becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently rising, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named James?
At least 5,262,396 babies have been recorded with the name James in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like James? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.