James is an extremely popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #9 in 2008 with 5,170 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 1997 with 9,853 births ranking #2. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 44.9%. In 2008, approximately 1 in every 66 boys born was named James. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
James is one of the great enduring classics of English naming. It belongs to the Jacob family and traditionally carries the same meaning usually glossed as "supplanter".
The name has been used continuously for centuries through biblical, royal, literary, and everyday family tradition. Its strength lies in sounding both substantial and effortlessly familiar.