The name Jaime has its origins in the ancient Hebrew name Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows". It is also related to the Spanish name Santiago, which is derived from the Latin name Sanctus Iacobus, meaning "Saint James".

The name Jaime was first popularized in medieval Spain and Portugal, where it was a common name among the nobility and royalty. It is believed to have been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors during their conquest of the region in the 8th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jaime can be found in the Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century manuscript that contains the first written account of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The manuscript refers to a legend surrounding a knight named Jaime who was said to have fought alongside the apostle Saint James during the Christian reconquest of Spain.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Jaime. One of the most famous is Jaime I of Aragon (1208-1276), also known as "El Conquistador" (The Conqueror), who was responsible for the conquest of the Balearic Islands and Valencia from the Moors.

Another notable Jaime was Jaime II of Majorca (1243-1311), who was the first King of Majorca and the Lord of Montpellier. He was known for his patronage of the arts and his support of the University of Montpellier.

In the 16th century, Jaime de Mal Lara (1525-1571) was a Spanish humanist and philologist who wrote extensively on the history and culture of ancient Spain.

In the 20th century, Jaime Torres Bodet (1902-1974) was a Mexican poet, diplomat, and educator who served as the Director-General of UNESCO from 1948 to 1952.

Finally, Jaime Lerner (born 1937) is a Brazilian architect and urban planner who is best known for his innovative urban planning initiatives in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, where he served as mayor on three separate occasions.