Boy · Hebrew · New Testament

James

JAYMZ · from Ya'akov · means “Supplanter; one who grasps the heel”

James is the English form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning "supplanter" or "one who grasps the heel," the same name given to Jacob at birth. James, son of Zebedee, was one of Jesus' closest disciples and became the first apostle martyred for his faith.

“He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.”

The story behind the name

James was mending nets with his father Zebedee and his brother John when Jesus called them, and "immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him" (Matthew 4:21-22). Jesus nicknamed the brothers "sons of thunder," perhaps for their fiery zeal (Mark 3:17).

James belonged to Jesus' innermost circle, present at the transfiguration and in Gethsemane, witnessing moments the other disciples did not see. His devotion was costly: he became the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, killed by Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:2).

A boy named James carries a name with an ancient history, once meaning one who grasps and strives, now bound to a disciple whose zeal for Jesus never wavered, even to the point of death.

Middle names that sing with James

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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