Jacob

Q: What is the origin of Jacob?

Jacob is of Hebrew origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Jacob a boy name?

Jacob is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Holder of the Heel"

From Hebrew Yaakov, traditionally interpreted as heel holder or supplanter, borne by the biblical patriarch Jacob.

Themes:heelsuppplanterpatriarchhebrew

Biblical Nature Natural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Jacob

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#41Top 50

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#41

Jacob was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-6

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Jacob Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Jacob.

11 ideas

Jake

Nickname

Jakey

Nickname

Coby

Nickname

jacoby

Nickname

jacobie

Nickname

jacobo

Nickname

jacy

Nickname

jaco

Nickname

coby

Nickname

Similar Names to Jacob

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Baby Name Lists That Include Jacob

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Jacob, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

18 linked lists

Famous Jacobs

J
Jacob (Bible)
Hebrew patriarch, son of Isaac, whose sons became the twelve tribes of Israel
J
Jacob Grimm
German linguist and folklorist, one of the Brothers Grimm

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Jacob mean?

Jacob means "Holder of the Heel". From Hebrew Yaakov, traditionally interpreted as heel holder or supplanter, borne by the biblical patriarch Jacob.

What is the origin of Jacob?

Jacob is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Jacob?

According to the latest SSA data, Jacob is currently ranked #41 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Jacob a boy name?

Jacob is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Jacob?

Popular nicknames for Jacob include Jake, Jakey, Coby, jacoby, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Jacob?

There are many names similar to Jacob in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew

Syllables2

Length5 letters

US Rank#41

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withJ

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Asher Benjamin Caleb David Daniel

Sisters

Abigail Delilah Elizabeth Ellie Eliana

Explore More Boy Names Like Jacob

Jacob has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Jacob appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Biblical Baby Names and Hebrew Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Jacob pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Jacob beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.