James in Chinese
James in Chinese is 詹姆斯 (Zhān Mǔ Sī).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- supplanter
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "supplanter". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Jacob, Jamie, Jacqueline, Jake.
3 ways to write James
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
詹姆斯
Zhān Mǔ Sī
The standard transliteration of James: 詹 (zhān, "phonetic 'jam/zhan'"), 姆 (mǔ, "governess (phonetic 'm')"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 詹 zhān + 姆 mǔ + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 1-3-1 (high level, dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
33 strokes total (simplified)- 詹
zhān
Tone 1 · 13 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'jam/zhan'
- 姆
mǔ
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
governess (phonetic 'm')
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
文杰
Wén Jié
Inspired by "supplanter": 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined") + 杰 (jié, "outstanding, heroic"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
James's meaning ("supplanter") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 文 (literature, culture; refined) and 杰 (outstanding, heroic) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
- 杰
jié
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
outstanding, heroic
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
博文
Bó Wén
博 (bó, "broad, learned") + 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined"): a natural Chinese given name themed on elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
No attractive character closely matches "ja" (zhān), so 博 ("broad, learned") and 文 ("literature, culture; refined") were chosen for elegance and good character.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of James
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, James ranked 4 among names recorded for boys, with 72,523 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 5,150,472 boys named James since 1880, with the high point in 1947 (94,756 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #8 to #4 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1947
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 5,150,472
More About James in Chinese
The Chinese translation of James offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of James, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Jacob in Chinese, Jamie in Chinese, Jacqueline in Chinese, Jake in Chinese, Diego in Chinese, and Jimmy in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Jacob in Chinese, Jamie in Chinese, and Jacqueline in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jake in Chinese, Diego in Chinese, Jimmy in Chinese, Christopher in Chinese, and Matthew in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for James, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like James to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is James in Chinese characters?
詹姆斯 (Zhān Mǔ Sī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name James?
US Social Security records show 5,150,472 boys named James since 1880, with the high point in 1947 (94,756 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #8 to #4 among boys.
How many strokes does 詹姆斯 have?
33 strokes in simplified form; per character: 詹 13, 姆 8, 斯 12.