James
Supplanter (English form of Jacob)
Origin
Used in
Origin and meaning of James
James is the English form derived from the Latin Iacomus, a variant of Iacobus and ultimately from the Hebrew Ya'aqov — sharing the root and meaning 'supplanter' with Giacomo and Jacob. It is one of the most classic, beloved names of the English-speaking world, borne by kings of England and Scotland. Hugely popular in the UK, Ireland and the United States, it matches the Italian Giacomo and the Spanish Jaime or Diego. It evokes elegance, authority and tradition.
Variants around the world
How James sounds in other languages.
Famous people
- James Joyce— writer
- James Clerk Maxwell— physicist
- James Cook— navigator
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name James mean?
The name James means Supplanter (English form of Jacob).
What is the origin of the name James?
Origin of James: Hebrew.
What are the international variants of the name James?
International variants of James: Giacomo, Jaime, Jacques, and Diego.