Jamie

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAY-mee /ˈdʒeɪ.mi/High

Meaning: Scottish and English pet form of James (or its feminine counterpart), from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'he who supplants'; used as a unisex name, predominantly feminine in American usageHigh

In 30 seconds: Jamie is the warm Scottish pet form of James and Janet, meaning supplanter from the Hebrew Jacob. Genuinely unisex but slightly female-leaning in the U.S., it carries a friendly, approachable quality that has never gone out of style.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningScottish and English pet form of James (or its feminine counterpart), from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'he who supplants'; used as a unisex name, predominantly feminine in American usage

U.S. rank (2025)#858 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births316 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1977

Total births (all-time)≈ 270,935

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Jamie is a Scottish diminutive of James, from the Late Latin Jacomus, ultimately from Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter). It also functions as a Scottish short form of Janet or Jane. The Scottish connection gives Jamie its characteristic friendly, informal quality — Scottish diminutives typically end in -ie (Maggie, Archie, Robbie) and carry a warmth distinct from their full forms.

Jamie has been used for both boys and girls in English-speaking countries since the 20th century. In the United States it leaned female in the 1970s and 1980s, entering the top 50 girls names. Today it is genuinely unisex, though its female use is more common in American data. Its ease of pronunciation and friendly sound give it cross-generational appeal.

Did you know? Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and First Lady Jill Biden's daughter Ashley have all kept various spellings of Jamie in the public eye — reflecting the name's remarkable staying power across both sexes and generations.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Jamie — Hebrew etymology as Scottish pet form of JamesU.S. Social Security Administration — gender usage data

Variations

JaimeJaimiJaimie

Nicknames

Jam

Famous Bearers

★Jamie Lee Curtis (1958–present)
American actress known for her roles in Halloween and Freaky Friday, and winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

If you like Jamie…

Casey— same generation of unisex Irish-rooted or nickname-based American names

Kelly— shares the cheerful two-syllable Irish-American mid-century unisex quality

Leigh— same one-or-two-syllable informal English unisex feel

Jody— fellow warm, two-syllable American unisex name from the same era

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jamie mean?

Jamie means supplanter, as a Scottish pet form of James from the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob).

How do you pronounce Jamie?

It is said JAY-mee, with two syllables.

Is Jamie a boys or girls name?

Jamie is genuinely unisex; it is used for both, though female use is slightly more common in the U.S.

Is Jamie a popular name?

Jamie has been popular in the U.S. since the 1960s and remains a consistent, friendly classic.