The nameJacob
Jacob is a biblical boy's name, the name of the patriarch father of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was the most popular boys' name in the United States for fourteen years in a row.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Jacob comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, linked in the Bible to aqev, "heel", since Jacob was born holding his twin Esau's heel. It is often understood as "supplanter" or "may God protect".
Origin
Hebrew. James is a medieval English form of the same name, through the Latin Iacomus.
History
Jacob was the top boys' name in the United States every year from 1999 to 2012 and stayed in the top ten until 2017. In England and Wales it reached fourth place in 2013 and 2014.
Did you know?
- Jacob Grimm and his brother Wilhelm published the first volume of their fairy tales in 1812, with Snow White and Hansel and Gretel.
- In the Bible, Jacob is given the name Israel, and his twelve sons give their names to the twelve tribes.
Famous people named Jacob
- Jacob Grimm, philologist and folklorist
- Jacob Elordi, actor
- Jacob Collier, musician
- Jacob Rees-Mogg, politician
Popularity of the name Jacob
Jacob in the United States
Jacob was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 299,001 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Jacob. Its rise began around 1975, and it peaked in 1998. Half of all babies named Jacob in the United States were born before 1999. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 7,798 births a year on average, against 13,313 in the five years before.
Jacob in the United Kingdom
Jacob was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 48,355 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Jacob. Half of all babies named Jacob in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,935 births a year on average, against 3,827 in the five years before.
Jacob in Ireland
Jacob in France
Jacob in Belgium
Jacob in Austria
Jacob in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jacob
Names from the same generation as Jacob, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jacob? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jacob with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jacob side by side with the name of your choice.
Jacob in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jacob mean?
Jacob comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, linked in the Bible to aqev, "heel", since Jacob was born holding his twin Esau's heel. It is often understood as "supplanter" or "may God protect".
What is the origin of the name Jacob?
Hebrew. James is a medieval English form of the same name, through the Latin Iacomus.
Is Jacob a girl's or a boy's name?
Jacob is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Jacob?
In 2024, Jacob was the 41st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 6,496 births.
What are the variants of the name Jacob?
Variants and related names of Jacob include Jacques, Jake and Santiago.
What are good sibling names for Jacob?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Elizabeth, Abigail and Emily for a sister, Matthew, Michael, Joseph and Jonathan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Jacob?
Jacob Grimm, philologist and folklorist; Jacob Elordi, actor; Jacob Collier, musician; Jacob Rees-Mogg, politician.