Iacobus
[jaːˈkoː.bʊs]
The English name James is translated into Latin as Iacobus.
The name is used as a male given name.
Meaning: male given name (the standard form) (name)
Which one should you use?
While Iacobus is the standard form, Iacomus and Iacob are also used as formal translations of the name.
Did you know?
- The name Iacobus descends from a Hebrew root meaning 'heel'. This refers to the biblical story of James's ancestor grabbing his twin brother's heel at birth.
- While Iacobus is the standard Latin form, it is the direct ancestor of both the English names 'James' and 'Jacob', which are treated as different names today.
- The shift from Iacobus to 'James' occurred because the 'b' in the Latin form softened into a 'v' sound in Vulgar Latin and then disappeared or transformed in Old French.
Examples in context
- Iacobus Quintus, Rex ScotorumJames V, King of ScotsThis sentence shows the use of Iacobus when identifying a king.
- Iacobus Dei Gratia Angliæ Primus & Scotiæ Sextus RexJames, King by the Grace of God, the First of England & the Sixth of ScotlandThis sentence demonstrates how Iacobus is used in a formal royal title.
- Salve, Iacome!Hello, James!
- Iacobus est amicus meus.James is my friend.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are discussing a person they know.
- LuciaUbi est Iacobus?Where is James?
- QuintusIacobus in horto est.James is in the garden.
- LuciaQuid hic vir facit?What is this man doing?
- QuintusIacobus flores curat.James is tending to the flowers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Iacobus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Iacobus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
