James Carney may refer to:

• James Carney (scholar) (1914–1989), Irish Celtic studies scholar
• James Carney (bishop) (1915–1990), Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver
• James Carney (American priest) (1924–1983), American priest in Honduras during the civil war
• Jim Carney (poet) (born 1950), Irish poet
• Jay Carney (James Carney, born 1965), White House Press Secretary
• James Carney (cyclist) (born 1968), American Olympic cyclist, founder of C.A.R.E. for Cycling, Inc.
• James Carney, actor in Said O'Reilly to McNab

• Jem Carney (1856–1941), English boxer