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Name Origin

James is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Jacob. It means 'supplanter' or 'he grasps the heel,' referring to the biblical story of Jacob grasping his twin brother Esau's heel at birth.

hebrewbiblicalmasculinetraditionalpopularmeaningfulsupplanterjacob

Famous People

James Cook (1728-1779)

Explorer, Navigator

  • Explored and charted much of the Pacific Ocean
  • First European to reach eastern Australia

James Joyce (1882-1941)

Writer

  • Authored groundbreaking modernist novels like Ulysses and Finnegans Wake
  • Influential figure in 20th-century literature

James Watson (1928-)

Molecular Biologist

  • Co-discovered the structure of DNA with Francis Crick
  • Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962)

James Cameron (1954-)

Film Director

  • Directed blockbuster films like Titanic and Avatar
  • Pioneer in special effects and filmmaking technology

LeBron James (1984-)

Basketball Player

  • Four-time NBA champion
  • Four-time MVP
  • Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time