The nameJacques
Jacques is the French form of James. English speakers know it from explorers, singers and racing drivers.
- Boy's name
- French
- Feast day
Meaning
Jacques comes from Jacobus, the Latin form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov. In Genesis, Jacob is born holding the heel (aqev) of his twin Esau, hence the traditional meaning "he who holds the heel" or "supplanter"; it is also read as "may God protect".
Origin
French, from Hebrew through Latin. Jacques is the French equivalent of James: both come from the same Latin Iacobus, which also gave Diego, Giacomo and Jacob.
History
Two apostles bear the name, Saint James the Greater, whose tomb in Santiago de Compostela drew pilgrims from all of medieval Europe, and Saint James the Less. Jacques was one of the most common boys' names in France until the 1950s. English speakers know it from the nursery round Frère Jacques ("Are you sleeping, Brother John?"), from the explorer Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1535, and from the ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung in 1943.
Did you know?
- Jacques Cousteau co-invented the Aqua-Lung, the first modern scuba equipment, in 1943.
- The Silent World, by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle, won the Palme d'Or in 1956.
- The explorer Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River to the site of Montreal in 1535.
Famous people named Jacques
- Jacques Cousteau, ocean explorer
- Jacques Cartier, explorer of Canada
- Jacques Brel, singer
- Jacques Chirac, President of France
- Jacques Villeneuve, Formula One champion
Popularity of the name Jacques
Jacques in the United States
Jacques was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 1,534 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Jacques. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1990. Half of all babies named Jacques in the United States were born before 1981, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 60 births a year on average, against 75 in the five years before.
Jacques in the United Kingdom
Jacques was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 343 births over the decade, 33% of all recorded babies named Jacques. Half of all babies named Jacques in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 62 births a year on average, against 17 in the five years before.
Jacques in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jacques
Names from the same generation as Jacques, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jacques? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jacques with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jacques side by side with the name of your choice.
Jacques in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jacques mean?
Jacques comes from Jacobus, the Latin form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov. In Genesis, Jacob is born holding the heel (aqev) of his twin Esau, hence the traditional meaning "he who holds the heel" or "supplanter"; it is also read as "may God protect".
What is the origin of the name Jacques?
French, from Hebrew through Latin. Jacques is the French equivalent of James: both come from the same Latin Iacobus, which also gave Diego, Giacomo and Jacob.
Is Jacques a girl's or a boy's name?
Jacques is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Jacques?
In 2024, Jacques was the 2374th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 59 births.
What are the variants of the name Jacques?
Variants and related names of Jacques include Diego, Jacki, Jackie, Jacky, Jacob, Jacqueline, Jacqui and Jacquie.
What are good sibling names for Jacques?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Yvonne, Aline, Nicolle and Marguerite for a sister, Alexandre, Armand, Luc and Désiré for a brother.
Who are famous people named Jacques?
Jacques Cousteau, ocean explorer; Jacques Cartier, explorer of Canada; Jacques Brel, singer; Jacques Chirac, President of France.