"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Jacob) Origin
James Meaning in the Bible
James
boy
James means "Supplanter; He who follows", a boy's name of Hebrew (Jacob) origin. James appears in the King James Bible, and Acts 12:2 is the passage most often tied to it. James reminds us that authentic faith produces visible fruit. His call to be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only' challenges every believer to live out their convictions.
Is James in the Bible?
Yes — James appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 12:2.
Pronunciation:/JAYMZ/
OriginHebrew (Jacob)
MeaningSupplanter; He who follows
What does James mean?
James is a boy name of Hebrew (Jacob) origin meaning "Supplanter; He who follows". James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "he who follows." Two of Jesus' apostles bore this name — James the son of Zebedee (brother of John) and James the son of Alphaeus.
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What does James mean in the Bible?
James means "Supplanter; He who follows" and is a name of Hebrew (Jacob) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "he who follows." Two of Jesus' apostles bore this name — James the son of Zebedee (brother of John) and James the son of Alphaeus. Additionally, James the brother of Jesus became the leader of the Jerusalem church.
James the son of Zebedee was part of Jesus' inner circle along with Peter and John, witnessing the Transfiguration and Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. He became the first apostle to be martyred, executed by King Herod Agrippa I.
James the brother of Jesus authored the Epistle of James, one of the most practical books of the New Testament. His teaching that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26) has shaped Christian understanding of authentic faith for two millennia.
Where does James appear in the Bible (KJV)?
James is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Acts 12:2. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword."
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What are the variants and nicknames of James?
James has 9 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Jim
Jake
Jaco
Which books of the Bible mention James?
James is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of James?
James reminds us that authentic faith produces visible fruit. His call to be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only' challenges every believer to live out their convictions.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name James:
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What names are related to James?
Names that pair well with James
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of James
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James name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — James appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 12:2.
James means "Supplanter; He who follows." It is a Hebrew (Jacob) name. The King James Bible uses it in Acts 12:2, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew (Jacob). James comes into English from Hebrew (Jacob) and carries the sense "Supplanter; He who follows." It appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 12:2.
Common questions about the name James
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name James?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for James?
You can read every verse where James appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.