James
Meaning: Supplanter; one who follows
Origin: Latin Iacomus, from Greek Iakobos, from Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob)
Gender: Boy
Rank in Ireland: #3
Total births: 51,701
History: James has been among Ireland's most enduring names, carried by the great novelist James Joyce, whose Ulysses immortalised Dublin's streets. The Irish form Séamus connects it to Gaelic tradition, as in poet Séamus Heaney from County Derry, Nobel laureate in 1995. James Connolly, executed after the 1916 Easter Rising, gave the name revolutionary significance. From Grafton Street to Galway Bay, James remains woven into the fabric of Irish identity.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #4 |
| Babies named James in 2025 | 359 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 51,701 |
| Peak year | 1964 (1,554 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #1 |
| Years in records | 1964–2025 (62 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 2 spots |
Frequently asked about James
What does the name James mean?
James means “Supplanter; one who follows” from Latin Iacomus, from Greek Iakobos, from Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob) roots.
What is the origin of the name James?
James has Latin Iacomus, from Greek Iakobos, from Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob) origin. The traditional meaning is “Supplanter; one who follows”.
How popular is James in Ireland?
James ranked #4 in Ireland in 2025 — given to 359 babies that year.
When was James most popular?
James peaked in 1964 with 1,554 babies registered that year in Ireland.
Is James a boy or girl name?
James is predominantly a boys' name in Ireland — over 90% of Jamess in registered births are male.
How long has James been recorded in Ireland?
James appears in birth records in Ireland across 62 years — from 1964 through 2025.