Of Hebrew origin.
From the name Ya’agov, which became Ιάκωβος (Iakovos) in the Greek translation of the New Testament, then Jacob, and took the form of James in the Old French and English.
It was the name of two apostles in the New Testament. Saint James the Greater, who was beheaded under Herod Agrippa in the Book of Acts. James the Lesser, son of Alphaeus.
It became common in Scotland, borne by kings. When the Scottish king James VI inherited the English throne, and became the first ruler of all Britain, in the 17th century, the name became more popular.
It has been born by six American presidents.
Other forms of the name are: Jim, Jimi, Jimmie, Jaymes, Jamey, Jemmy, Jaime, Jacques, Jacob, Santiago, Jaak, Giakomo, Séamus, Jakub, Jacobo, Yago, Yakub, Hemi, Hamish, Iago, Jamie.
Famous bearers are James Brown, James Joyce, James Dean, James Hetfield, James Earl Jones, James Cameron, James Gandolfini, James Last, James Coburn, James McAvoy, James Garner, James Franco, James Taylor, James Blunt, James Spader, James Woods, James Purefoy, James Stewart, James Cagney, James Ingram, James Van Der Beek, James Brolin, James Caan, James Belushi, James Mason, James Remar, James Lesure, James Kottak, James Cromwell, James Harden, James Cosmo.
James is a popular name in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Northern Ireland, United States, Canada, England, and Wales.
One of the most popular James figures is fictional.
James Bond, also known by his code number 007, the British secret service agent, created by author Ian Lancaster Fleming.
Fleming, who was also a naval intelligence officer, began writing the James Bond novels in 1952.
The first 007 book was published in 1953. It was entitled “Casino Royal”. Fleming wrote the novel while he was staying at his house in Jamaica.
There are more than 20 film adaptations of James Bond’s adventures.
It soon became a global phenomenon and it is second in gross revenue only to the Harry Potter film series.
For those of you who may be interested in 007’s detailed information, there is, of course, the official website.
The most distinctive James Bond music theme was written by John Barry for the 1962 film “Dr. No” and is instantly recognized by millions of people around the world.