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Jamie

♂ Boy

Pronounced JAY-mee /ˈdʒeɪ.mi/High

Meaning: Scottish and English diminutive of James, itself from the Late Latin Jacomus, a variant of Jacobus, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' or 'he who follows at the heel'High

In 30 seconds: Jamie is a friendly, approachable Scottish pet form of James with deep biblical roots. It works seamlessly for boys and girls, though in the U.S. it skews male.
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Origin HighHebrew, Scottish
MeaningScottish and English diminutive of James, itself from the Late Latin Jacomus, a variant of Jacobus, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' or 'he who follows at the heel'
U.S. rank (2025)#577 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births508 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1976
Total births (all-time)≈ 88,646

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197618962025

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

History & Origin

Jamie developed as a Scottish and northern English diminutive of James during the early modern period. James itself traces through Latin Jacomus to biblical Hebrew Yaakov, the patriarch whose name has been interpreted as 'he who supplants' or 'he who grasps the heel.' The name James was carried to Britain with Christianity, and diminutive forms like Jamie naturally followed.

Jamie entered common use as a standalone given name in the 20th century. In the U.S., it has been used for both sexes since the 1950s, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s for boys. It remains a warmly familiar name carried by notable figures across sport, media, and politics.

Did you know? In Scotland, Jamie has been an affectionate nickname for James since at least the 17th century — making it one of the longest-running diminutives still in common use as a full given name.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name — Jamie — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JamesJayJaimie

Nicknames

Jay

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jamie Oliver (1975–present)
    British celebrity chef and food campaigner.
  • ★Jamie Foxx (1967–present)
    American actor, singer, and comedian; Academy Award winner.

If you like Jamie…

James— the full form of which Jamie is a diminutive
Ryan— friendly Irish-origin two-syllable boys' name with crossover appeal
Charlie— similarly approachable nickname-name that works as a full given name
Tyler— casual, two-syllable surname-name with the same relaxed feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jamie mean?

Jamie is a Scottish diminutive of James, which traces to Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' or 'he who grasps the heel.'

How do you pronounce Jamie?

It is said JAY-mee — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Jamie a boy or girl name?

Jamie is used for both sexes but trends male in the U.S. It is also a popular girls' name in the UK and elsewhere.

How popular is Jamie?

Jamie has been a consistently popular name in the U.S. for decades, ranking in the top 300 boys' names in recent years.