Home › Baby Names Directory › James

James

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAYMZ /ˈd͡ʒeɪmz/Medium

Meaning: Holder of the heelMedium

In 30 seconds: James, used here for a girl, is an English name meaning 'holder of the heel,' descended from the Hebrew name behind Jacob. It brings a classic, traditionally male name to a girl with a crisp, confident sound.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish, Dutch, Biblical
MeaningHolder of the heel
U.S. rank (2024)#2580 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births68 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 23,826

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818802024

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

History & Origin

The name traces back through the same root as Jacob, carrying the sense of 'holder of the heel.' Long established in English, James has lately been embraced as a girls' name as well. Its forms reach across languages, from Seamus to Yacoub and Yaqoob.

As a presidential name, James was borne by figures like James Madison and James Monroe, lending it deep historical weight. Used for a girl, its single strong syllable feels both familiar and fresh.

Did you know? James appears in the Old Testament, which helped preserve it across centuries of Jewish and Christian naming traditions.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - James — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JaymesSeamusYacoubYakubYaqoob

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★James Madison (1751–1836)
    Fourth President of the United States.
  • ★James Monroe (1758–1831)
    Fifth President of the United States.

If you like James…

Seamus— the Irish form of James from the same Jacob-rooted name
Jamie— a softer diminutive of James often used for girls

Frequently Asked

What does the name James mean?

James is usually explained as meaning 'holder of the heel' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce James?

It's commonly said JAYMZ /ˈd͡ʒeɪmz/.

Is James a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, James is used as a girl name.

How popular is James?

In 2024, James ranked #2580 in the U.S. for girls, with 68 births recorded.