The nameJakob

Jakob is the German and Scandinavian form of Jacob.

Boy's name
Hebrew
Feast day

Meaning

Jakob comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to "heel" and often read as "may God protect".

Origin

Hebrew.

History

Jakob is a classic in Germany, Austria and Scandinavia. In the United States it reached 172nd in 2001, when Jacob was number one.

Famous people named Jakob

Jakob Dylan, singer
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, runner

Popularity of the name Jakob

Jakob in the United States

1118thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

2001peak year (2,192 births)

31,821babies named Jakob in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jakob was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 14,765 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Jakob. Its rise began around 1989, and it peaked in 2001. Half of all babies named Jakob in the United States were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 228 births a year on average, against 417 in the five years before.

Jakob in the United Kingdom

1116thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2013peak year (116 births)

2,187babies named Jakob in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Jakob was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 904 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Jakob. Half of all babies named Jakob in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 36 births a year on average, against 70 in the five years before.

Jakob in Belgium

812thmost popular boys' name in Belgium in 2025

2013peak year (37 births)

661babies named Jakob in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jakob in Switzerland

205thmost popular boys' name in Switzerland in 2025

2014peak year (56 births)

916babies named Jakob in Switzerland since 2000

Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Jakob in Austria

5thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025

2018peak year (803 births)

21,571babies named Jakob in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Jakob in Norway

9thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025

2019peak year (311 births)

7,708babies named Jakob in Norway since 1945

Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Jakob

Names from the same generation as Jakob, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Jakob? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Jakob in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jakob mean?

Jakob comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to "heel" and often read as "may God protect".

What is the origin of the name Jakob?

Hebrew.

Is Jakob a girl's or a boy's name?

Jakob is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Jakob?

In 2024, Jakob was the 1118th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 190 births.

What are the variants of the name Jakob?

Variants and related names of Jakob include Diego, Jacques and James.

What are good sibling names for Jakob?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Jenny, Jacqueline, Lisa and Sharon for a sister, Brendan, Marc, Jimmy and Zachary for a brother.

Who are famous people named Jakob?

Jakob Dylan, singer; Jakob Ingebrigtsen, runner.