So how popular is James as a first name?

[flopsy1974]

Seems to be a vv popular middle name where I live, but I haven't heard it used for a whIle as a first name. Just curious as to how popular it is elsewhere :-)

I know a one year old called James - named after his grandad I believe. That's probably why it's a popular middle name. I quite like it myself - if only DPs surname wasn't Jones!

I don't know any little ones with James as a first name, quite a few older children/teens though.
It's in our short list for a boy because w both like Jamie/Jam as nn.

I work in a nursery, James is the most popular name, we have 6 in a small nursery!!! X

very popular - we had 4 out of 24 kids called james/jamie

and DS has 3 in his class - out of 14 boys

Popular name in Scotland, with all ages.

I know a few of different ages. Wouldn't say it is that common. I normally like more unusual names but there is something very classic about it.

In Scotland I know squillions of them!

I went to a baby group a few weeks ago, and there were 4 baby James's between 5 - 9 months old.

It was the 10th most popular boys name in England & Wales in 2010 - don't think the 2011 stats have been published yet, but the popularity of names in the top 10 doesn't tend to rise or fall drastically from one year to the next.

I only know one under the age of 10years old

I know 1 Jamie, and he is a Jamie, not James

I have a James. There are a few around here but none in his school year. I'm Scottish and he was named after a very dear great uncle.

I have a James, I'm in Scotland too.
I wouldn't say it is that common but there are a lot of similar names, so lots of Jamies and jims.
DH insisted on it but it is a name I'm very fond of, especially now it is my son's.

I have read somewhere (a realiable source) that James has been the most consistently popular name in England since 1650. It hasn't been out of 'top numbers' (sorry can't be more specific about this as I cannot precisely remember the number).

It is a gorgeous name. I am biased though, as my own awesome Grandad (b. 1921) had the name. FWIW, brothers of his were Harry, Francis, Albert and Charles. We have 2 daughters, but if they had been boys, James would have been the middle name.

I know a couple, and was my choice for my second daughter had she been a boy!

I know quite a few, and I don't know many children, so I figure it's pretty popular where I am, at least (NW). Nice name though

Looking at this website

James popularity

James has been in the top 10 for boys names in the UK since 1900.

There is one in dd reception group and none in ds nursery all olivers and Harrys.

My brother is a James but he is grown up now. My friend named her DS James earlier this year and it was the first time I heard it for a newborn for ages.

I really like the name and it would have been on my list but DH wouldn't consider anything that was already in the family.

It's a good classic name but dd is 14mo and I've met loads of little Jameses, enough to put me off even though it goes well with our surname.

At a friend's Christening for her son there were loads of "I know/have a James, it's a very good name" comments. She was a bit annoyed about them.

I have a James. I am not in Scotland though

Don't think there are many where I live, particularly at primary level.

Lots of them of all ages here in Ireland.

At a rough guess, looking at DCs friends, 1-3 per year (rather than several per class).

I know a 1yo, 2 x 2yo and a 3yo James, plus 2 in DD's nursery class and squillions of 'em that I teach at high school. Plus know loads of grown-up ones.
It doesn't put me off though, it's a normal, solid, dependable, non-trendy, nickname-able, compatible name with heritage and these are all the reasons I'd use it!

DS2 is James, although I imagine he's going to be Jamie for the foreseeable future. There are a lot of Jameses DS1's age (15/16 year olds) and a lot in DD's primary school. It's a classic though, so I don't think popularity matters so much with it IYSWIM?

I don't know of any little Jameses.