How popular is the name James?
In 2025, 11,945 boys in the United States were named James, making it the #6 most common name for boys that year. James has held fairly steady over the last decade.
Popularity over the last 25 years
Babies named James per 100,000 born, so the trend is not distorted by changes in the birth rate. Source: US Social Security Administration.
Year by year
| Year | Babies named James | Per 100k |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11,945 | 360.3 |
| 2024 | 11,856 | 354.6 |
| 2023 | 11,739 | 354.1 |
| 2022 | 12,119 | 357.9 |
| 2021 | 12,474 | 367.9 |
| 2020 | 12,390 | 370.7 |
| 2019 | 13,198 | 380.1 |
| 2018 | 13,650 | 388.1 |
| 2017 | 14,362 | 401.5 |
| 2016 | 14,920 | 406.6 |
Guessing James in a baby pool
If the parents have kept the name secret, popularity data is a reasonable starting point — most parents pick something in the top few hundred. But guessing one name is a long shot. A pool that allows several guesses per person, and scores near-misses (James against a similar-sounding name) rather than only exact matches, makes for a much better game.
Similar-popularity names
Think the baby will be a James?
Start a free pool, invite the family, and see who guesses closest. Names are scored on spelling and sound, so near-misses still count.
Create a free pool