The meaning of the name “Jacob” is different in several languages, countries and cultures and has more than one possibly same or different meanings available.
Additional information: This is a male name that is pronounced as / JAY-cub /. The name means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” The first meaning is derived from the biblical Jacob, who was born holding his twin brother Esau’s heel, while the second meaning is due to how he replaced his brother as their father’s favorite.
The boy name Jacob is from the Ecclesiastic Late Latin name Iacobus, whose origin is the Greek name Iakobos, ‘Ιάκωβος’, derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov. Its origin is in the Bible, Jacob was used as the son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Esau and father of twelve sons and one daughter. His sons became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is also recorded a having wrestled with an angel where his name was changed to Israel after he wrestled entire night. God changed his name to Israel. The name may also mean “May God protect.”
It is a common name in most English-speaking countries. It is a very old name, although new variants are constantly being created.
There are several nicknames that are given to people with the name Jacob and this include: Jay, Jake, Jack, Jackie, Coby and Kobe. There are also some variant of this name which are: Jakob and Jacobus. The name is also related to names such as Jacques, Jaime, James, Yakov and Seamus. The feminine forms of this name are Jacobina, Jacoba, Coby, Jacobine and Jackie. Due to the variation of the languges throughout the world, the name Jacob is spelled and even pronounced differently in different parts of the world. These different spelling include: Yakub in Arabic, Jakov in Czech, Jaakoppi in Finnish, Jakob in German, Seamus in Irish, Giacobbe in Italian, Iago in Portuguese and Jacobo in Spanish.
Jacob was the most popular boy name in the USA for 2012. As of 2014, Jacob is the 4th most popular name in the United States and U.K., and the 8th most popular in Canada. The celebrities that are known to go by this name are: Jacob “Jake” Gyllenhaal, American actor, Jacob Vargas, American actor, Jacob Black, fictional character from Twilight series and Jacob, character on the TV show Lost.
Pronunciation: (JAY kub) Form of: Jacobus Celebrity Names & Famous real-life people:
Jacob "Jake" Gyllenhaal, American actor
Jacob Vargas, American actor.
Considering Jacob as a Baby Name?
The first thing you should know if you are considering Jacob for your baby's name is that in most countries all over the world the name Jacob is a boy name.
The name Jacob is of Hebrew origin, and is used mostly in English speaking countries but also in a few other countries and languages of the world.
If you consider naming your baby Jacob we recommend you take note of the special meaning and history of the name as your baby’s name will play a big role in its life and your baby will hear it spoken every day. Searching for a name is a very important and fun process as it’s the very first gift you will give to your baby. Many people believe that the name can affect success in life, through their children's working career and other circumstances, so they choose more “respectable” names or name meanings as they believe that the name meaning reflects the personality of the child.
Jacob Name Meaning
The meaning of Jacob has more than one different etymologies. It has same or different meanings in other countries and languages. The different meanings of the name Jacob are:
Hebrew meaning: Supplanter; held by the heel
Latin meaning: Supplanter; holder of the heel
Keep in mind that many names may have different meanings in other countries and languages, so be careful that the name that you choose doesn’t mean something bad or unpleasant. Search comprehensively and find the name meaning of Jacob and its name origin or of any other name in our database. Also note the spelling and the pronunciation of the name Jacob and check the initials of the name with your last name to discover how it looks and sounds. The history and meaning of the name Jacob is fascinating, learn more about it. (If you know more meanings of the name and you would like to contribute click here to submit another name meaning).
Hey! Ever wanted a gift that’s truly one-of-a-kind? Check out these personalized name gifts to make every special moment unforgettable—oh, and did I mention? It’s FREE to see yours today! (Sponsored Link)
Name Jacob Categories
The name Jacob is in the following categories: American Names, Australian Names, Biblical Names, Christian Names, English Names, Hebrew Names, Jewish Names, Literary Characters Names, Popular Names, Portuguese Names, Twilight Names. (If you would like to suggest one or more categories for the name, click here). We have plenty of different baby name categories to search for special meanings plus popular and unique names, search our database before choosing but also note that baby name categories designed to help you and not to be an influential factor when choosing a name. Instead, we recommend that you pay a greater attention to the origin and meaning of the name Jacob. Read our baby name articles for useful tips regarding baby names and naming your baby. If you are thinking of giving your baby the beautiful name Jacob, spread the love and share this with your friends.
Popularity of the Name Jacob
Below you will find the popularity of the baby name Jacob displayed annually, from 1880 to the present day in our name popularity chart. Hover over or click on the dots that represent a year to see how many babies were given the name for that year, for both genders, if available.
Jacob Boy Name Popularity Chart
Jacob Girl Name Popularity Chart
Note:The data above is from the Social Security Administrator of United States, (more info here) from Social Security card applications for births in US for every name, from 1880 up to the present year. The gender associated with the name might be incorrect, as the data presents the record applications without being edited for errors. The name's popularity and ranking is announced annually, so the data for this year will not be available until next year. The more babies that are given a name, the higher popularity ranking the name receives. For names with the same popularity, the tie is solved by assigning popularity rank in alphabetical order. This means that if two or more names have the same popularity their rankings may differ significantly, as they are set in alphabetical order. If a name has less than five occurrences, the SSA excludes it from the provided data to protect privacy.
If you’re not sure yet, see our wide selection of both boy names and girl names all over the world to find the ideal name for your new born baby. We offer a comprehensive and meaningful list of popular names and cool names along with the name's origin, meaning, pronunciation, popularity and additional information.
Hey! Ready to see your name turned into a stunning work of art? Discover Personalized Name Meaning Prints and watch your name come to life in beautiful designs — grab yours now, it's FREE to preview!(Sponsored Link)
Do your research and choose a name wisely, kindly and selflessly.
Our research is continuous so that we can deliver a high quality service; our lists are reviewed by our name experts regularly but if you think the information on this page is incorrect or incomplete, please let us know. Use our contact form to submit your suggestions, or leave your comment below.