# James

/ˈdʒeɪmz/ (US) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/james
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a common English name for a man or boy. It is a classic name that has been popular for hundreds of years.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the same root as Jacob. It is a proper noun and is always capitalized.

## Examples

- My brother's name is James.
- The manager introduced us to James, the new head of the marketing department.
- Throughout English history, the name James has been associated with royalty, most notably the Stuart kings who reigned during the seventeenth century.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it is always capitalized. It can be used as a countable noun when referring to multiple people with the same name.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.