James has roots tracing back to the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (יַ ֲעקֹב), meaning "supplanter" or "one who seizes". James is a Biblical name, as two apostles bore it in the New Testament. Though the name has been used in England since the 13th century, it was more popular in Scotland, where several rulers bore the name. After King James VI and I (of Scotland and England respectively) became the king of all Britain, the name increased in popularity in both countries. While still a popular name choice, it has been decreasing in popularity since its modern peak in the late 90s and early 2000s.