James Burnett or Burnet may refer to:

• James Burnett, Lord Monboddo (1714–1799), Scottish judge, scholar of linguistic evolution, philosopher and deist
• James Charles Burnett (1815–1854), surveyor and explorer in New South Wales, Australia
• Sir James Burnett, 13th Baronet (1880–1953), British Army officer
• James Burnett (rugby union) (born 1947), Scottish rugby union player
• James K. Burnett (1862–1948), California politician
• James M. Burnet (1788–1816), Scottish painter