Jacob: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced JAY-kuhb · 2 syllables
Jacob means “supplanter”, from Hebrew.
From Middle English Iacob, from Late Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek (Iakobos), from Biblical Hebrew (ya aqob, literally “May He Heel”), from the third-person singular masculine imperfective form of the Semitic verb "to heel" (with various meanings), in turn from (aqeb, “heel of the foot”). Doublet of James, Yaakov, and Yakub.
- Meaning
- supplanter
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAY-kuhb
- US rank (2025)
- #43
- US babies a year
- about 7,258 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1990
- Style
- Biblical
- Nicknames
- Jake
How popular is Jacob?
Jacob was the #43 name in the US in 2025, given to 6,152 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 60% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1990.
Most popular in New York (#9).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #43 |
| England & Wales | #19 |
| Scotland | #20 |
| Northern Ireland | #13 |
| Ireland | #64 |
| France | #357 |
| Norway | #58 |
| Canada | #13 |
| Australia | #60 |
How old are people named Jacob?
Half of US adults named Jacob are older than 30; most are between 19 and 48. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Jacob
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Jacob have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Jacob
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Jacob
What does the name Jacob mean?
Jacob means “supplanter”. It comes from Hebrew.
How do you pronounce Jacob?
Jacob is pronounced JAY-kuhb.
How popular is the name Jacob?
Jacob was the #43 name in the US in 2025, given to 6,152 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 60% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1990.
How old are people named Jacob?
Half of US adults named Jacob are older than 30. Most are between 19 and 48.