James
[dʒeɪmz]Meaning
English form of the Late Latin Iacomus, from the Hebrew name Yaʿaqov (Jacob)
Background Story
James is the English form of the Late Latin name Iacomus, a variant of the Biblical Latin Iacobus, which comes from the Hebrew name Yaʿaqov, also the source of Jacob. It was the name of two apostles in the New Testament and has been used in England since the 13th century, becoming more common in Scotland, where it was borne by several kings. The name grew much more popular after the Scottish king James VI inherited the English throne in the 17th century, becoming the first ruler of all Britain.
Temperament
Variations
Jamie, Jacques, Diego
Related Names
Jimbo
A given name, often short for James; also a Japanese surname and a Swahili word meaning state or province.
Jimmy
English diminutive of James, formed from Jim with the suffix -y
Davie
Diminutive of David
Denny
Diminutive of Dennis
Jack
A medieval diminutive of John, later an independent name
Jacko
English diminutive of Jack, formed with the suffix -o
Jacky
Diminutive of Jacques; also from Jack with the suffix -y
Jake
Medieval variant of Jack, also a short form of Jacob and James
Jason
From the Greek name Ἰάσων (Iason), meaning "healer"
Jeter
An English surname