What does James mean?
James means “Supplanter”. It is a boy name of Hebrew origin, listed under the Christian faith in our collection.
Origin, gender and faith
- Origin: Hebrew – see more Hebrew names.
- Gender: Boy – browse boy names.
- Faith: Christian
- Popularity: ranked #4690 in BabyNameMeaningz data.
Sound, spelling and pronunciation
James has 5 letters and 1 syllable, made of 2 vowels and 3 consonants (5 different letters). Its sound is best described as: crisp consonant ending.
Press Listen at the top of the page to hear the name spoken aloud, which helps when you are comparing how a name sounds next to a surname or a sibling’s name.
How the lucky number, colour and star sign are worked out
These three facts are calculated from the spelling of James with simple, fixed rules. They are for fun and are not a prediction or a real horoscope.
Lucky number
3Each letter gets its place in the alphabet (A=1 … Z=26): J=10 + A=1 + M=13 + E=5 + S=19 = 48. Then the digits are added until one digit is left: 4 + 8 = 12. Then the digits are added until one digit is left: 1 + 2 = 3. Result: 3.
Favorite colour
YellowThe lucky number picks the colour from a fixed table. James has lucky number 3, so the colour is Yellow.
Star sign
CapricornOnly the first letter counts (J). The twelve signs repeat along the alphabet: A = Aries, B = Taurus … L = Pisces, then M = Aries again. It is not based on a birth date.
Nickname ideas for James
Short and affectionate forms built from the spelling of James. They are ideas, not traditional or cultural nicknames, so pick the ones that feel natural to say.
Couple names that go with James
Partner names that match James by origin, faith, length and sound (Girl names). The percentage is a style match, and the blend is a fun combined name.
How is the match % worked out?
Start at 60. Same origin +9, same faith +6, similar length up to +8, different first letter +5, same last two letters +3 (maximum 99). Blend = first half of one name + second half of the other.
Blend ideas: James + Annie = Jamie · James + Sarah = Jamah · James + Molly = Jamly · James + Eliza = Jamza
Sibling names for James
Names that sit well next to James: similar origin and style, with a close length, sound or ending.
How are siblings chosen?
Start at 45. Same origin +10, same faith +8, same first letter +8, same last two letters +8, close length up to +10, close syllables up to +8, very similar spelling +6. Brothers and sisters are ranked separately.
Brother names
Sister names
Twin name ideas for James
If James is one twin’s name, these pair with it in different ways. Each percentage shows how well the pair fits that style.
How are twin names scored?
Same scoring as couples, plus a style bonus: Same first letter +18 (else −8), Same ending +18 (else −6), Balanced +5 for a different first letter and +3 for the same ending.
Same first letter
Same ending
Balanced match
Names with a similar meaning
Names whose meaning shares a key idea with James (supplanter).
How are similar meanings found?
We take the first two meaningful words of the meaning (4+ letters, common words removed) and list names whose meaning contains the same word.
Frequently asked questions
What does James mean?
James means “Supplanter” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of James?
In our collection James is listed as a name of Hebrew origin, associated with the Christian faith.
Is James a boy or a girl name?
James is listed as a boy name.
What is the lucky number for James?
By name numerology (A=1 … Z=26) the lucky number for James is 3, with the star sign Capricorn. This is for entertainment only.
How do you pronounce James?
James has 1 syllable. Use the listen button on this page to hear it spoken aloud.
What are some nicknames for James?
Spelling-based nickname ideas for James include Ja, Jam, Jame, Mes, Jamy, Jamie.
Which names have a similar meaning to James?
Names with a related meaning include Jack, Jake, Jokke, Kobe, Tiago, Jakoby.