James
BoyEnglish
James is a boy name of English origin meaning "Derivative of Jacob".
About this name
Gender
Boy
Language
English
Popularity
100 / 100
Syllables
2
Length
5 letters
Meaning
Derivative of Jacob
Etymology
James is an English language given name that is a derivative of the name Jacob, most commonly used for males.
Famous People Named James
- James Joyce — Irish novelist and poet (1882–1941)
- James Cook — British explorer, cartographer and naval officer (1728–1779)
- James Madison — President of the United States from 1809 to 1817 (1751–1836)
- James Clerk Maxwell — Scottish physicist (1831–1879)
- James Watt — British engineer (1736–1819)
Frequently Asked Questions About James
What does the name James mean?
James means "Derivative of Jacob", and is of English origin.
What is the origin of the name James?
James originates from English.
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is typically used as a boy name.
Are there famous people named James?
Yes — notable people named James include James Joyce (Irish novelist and poet, 1882–1941), James Cook (British explorer, 1728–1779), James Madison (President of the United States from 1809 to 1817, 1751–1836), James Clerk Maxwell (Scottish physicist, 1831–1879) and James Watt (British engineer, 1736–1819).
Last updated: June 2026