/d͡ʒeɪmz/
OriginThe English New Testament form of Jacob, from Middle English James, from Old French James, from Vulgar Latin Iacomus, spoken and altered pronunciation of Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿăqōḇ). Doublet of Jacques, Jacob, Iago, Jago, Yago, Hamish, Seamus, Tiago, and Santiago. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a modification of the earlier name Duke of York's Island after its eponymous duke's coronation as James II of England.
See Occitan Jacme for an intermediary between Old French James and Catalan Jaume.
- countable, uncountableThe twentieth book of the New Testament of the Bible, the general epistle of James.
- countable, uncountableOne of two Apostles, James the Greater and James the Less, often identified with James, brother of Jesus.
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matt”
- countable, uncountableA male given name from Hebrew popular since the Middle Ages. Also a common middle name.
“[…] And Normans call me James Fitz-James. / Thus watch I o'er insulted laws, / Thus learn to right the injured cause. […]”
“Heaven only knows why a man with a strong biblical name like James wants to be a president named Jimmy.”
“In the political drama that Donald Trump has created in Washington, he could not have dreamed up a more formidable adversary than James Comey.”
- countable, uncountableAn English surname originating as a patronymic.
- countable, uncountableAn unincorporated community in Jones County, Georgia, United States.
- countable, uncountableAn unincorporated community in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States.
- countable, uncountableA township in Timiskaming District, north-eastern Ontario, Canada.
- countable, uncountableFormer name of Santiago: an island of Galapagos, Ecuador.
FormsJameses(plural)