James is a highly popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #42 in 2025 with 1,211 recorded births. This places James in the top 1% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Popular. The name reached its all-time peak in 1997 with 9,853 births ranking #2. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 87.1%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 225 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.