Jacob
Jacob Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
JAY-kub
Meaning of Jacob: Jacob stems from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, derived from the noun aqev meaning heel and the verb aqav meaning to follow or supplant.
The third patriarch of the Israelite people, Jacob fathered twelve sons whose descendants became the tribes of Israel. Genesis 32 recounts his all-night struggle with a mysterious figure at the Jabbok ford, after which he received the name Israel meaning he strives with God, a pivotal scriptural moment.
Medieval Europe used Jacob primarily in Jewish communities, while Christian speakers preferred the Greek and Latin derivative James. The Protestant Reformation then revived Old Testament naming across England, Scotland, and the Low Countries, and Dutch settlers carried Jacob to New Amsterdam during the 17th century.
What Does Jacob Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to US Social Security Administration records, Jacob held rank one for US boys every year from 1999 through 2012, an unbroken 14-year run at the top of the charts. The name peaked at 34,500 births in 1999 and again in 2007 before slowly descending.
As of 2024, Jacob holds rank 41 with 6,496 US births. The name ranks in the top 50 across England and Wales, Canada, Australia, and Israel, where Ya'akov remains common. Few options have led the US chart for 14 straight years.
Variants across languages include English James, Spanish Jaime and Santiago, Italian Giacomo, French Jacques, Portuguese Jaime, Russian Yakov, Polish Jakub, Arabic Yaqub, and Hebrew Ya'akov. Notably, the short forms Jake, Jay, and Coby each serve as independent registered names in US records.
How Popular Is Jacob?
Numerology & Symbolism of Jacob
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Jacob – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Jacob
What does Jacob mean?
What is the origin of Jacob?
Jacob originates from biblical Hebrew Yaʼaqov. Puritans adopted it in the 17th century. The Twilight series (2005-2008) coincided with its peak. Jacob held rank 1 in the US from 1999 to 2012.
How popular is Jacob in the US?
Jacob ranks 41 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It held rank 1 from 1999 to 2012, a 14-year run second only to Michael’s record in US SSA history.
What are variants of Jacob?
Is Jacob more popular for girls or boys?
Jacob is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 41 for boys in the US in 2024. The feminine form Jacoba is rare. Jacoby is an occasional variant used for boys.
Jacob – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Jakov | Croatian/Serbian |
| Jack | English short form |
| Jake | English short form |
| Jacques | French |
| Jakob | German/Scandinavian/Dutch |
| Giacomo | Italian |
| Jakub | Polish/Czech/Slovak |
| Yakov | Russian/Hebrew |
| Jaime | Spanish cognate |