James Bond Name Origin Explained: Real Life Inspiration

screenrant.com:

The name's Bond… James Bond… but why? Few fictional characters of the past century have achieved the longevity and iconic status of 007. Created by Ian Fleming and making his literary debut with 1953's Casino Royale, James Bond's star rose to greater heights when Albert «Cubby» Broccoli joined Harry Saltzman to produce Dr. No in 1962. Since then we've had 12 Fleming novels, considerably more non-Fleming novels, short stories, spinoffs, 25 official Eon movies, and six actors stretching from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig.

And through all incarnations from page and screen — no matter what else might've changed along the way — the «James Bond» name has remained resolute like a trusted old friend. Strong, simple, effective, iconic. The «James Bond» moniker has evolved into more than just a name. It's embedded into the spy's personality (a blend of working and upper class), it's the anchor of multiple catchphrases ("No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die"), and it's a hugely successful brand name that has transcended decades, cultures, styles and tones.

Related: Tom Hardy's Best James Bond 26 Role Isn't Playing The New 007

So, what stroke of genius hit Ian Fleming when he conceived such a perfect name for his ruthless MI6 agent? The origins of the James Bond name are more humble than you might expect… maybe. In 1962, Ian Fleming revealed in a New Yorker interview that he intended the name «James Bond» as a boring, dull label for a man who had been molded into a dangerous, blunt instrument by his country's secret service — a no frills, minimum fuss title to suit 007's cold-blooded persona. Fleming — a bird enthusiast living in Jamaica — found exactly what he was looking for in a Pennsylvanian exotic ornithologist called James Bond.