James Cowan may refer to:
- James Cowan (author) (1942–2018), Australian author
- James Cowan (bishop) (born 1952), Anglican Bishop of Columbia from 2004 to 2013
- James Cowan (British Army officer), Major General in the British Army
- James Cowan (footballer) (1868–1918), Aston Villa footballer of the 19th century
- James Cowan (Manitoba physician) (1831–1910), Manitoba physician and politician from the 19th century
- James Cowan (Manitoba politician) (1914–1997), Manitoba politician from the 20th century
- James Cowan (New Zealand writer) (1870–1943), New Zealand writer of the 20th century
- James Cowan (Ontario politician) (1803–1900), politician in Canada West
- Jimmy Cowan (rugby league) (born 1975), rugby league footballer for Scotland, and Oldham Roughyeds
- James Cowan (Scottish politician) (1816–1895), Liberal Member of Parliament for Edinburgh 1874–1882
- James Cowan (South Australian politician) (1848–1890), South Australian politician
- James Cowan, fl. 1879, Australian public servant, husband of Edith Cowan
- Jim Cowan (born 1942), Canadian Senator from Nova Scotia
- Jimmy Cowan (born 1982), New Zealand rugby union footballer
- Jimmy Cowan (footballer) (1926–1968), Scottish footballer of the 1940s and 1950s
- James Cowan (sport shooter) (1856–1943), British Olympic shooter
- James Cowan (English cricketer) (born 1989)
- James Cowan (Scottish cricketer) (born 1929)
- James Alexander Cowan (1901–1978), Canadian writer and public relations consultant