Jacob
Jacob first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1998, when 36,031 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 6,152.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Jacob popular?
Declining Jacob is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1998 peak.
| 2020s | 45,178 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 163,321 | |
| 2000s | 274,077 | |
| 1990s | 298,415 | |
| 1980s | 124,254 | |
| 1970s | 36,351 | |
| 1960s | 5,075 | |
| 1950s | 5,400 | |
| 1940s | 4,853 | |
| 1930s | 5,264 | |
| 1920s | 9,047 | |
| 1910s | 8,684 | |
| 1900s | 2,191 | |
| 1890s | 2,551 | |
| 1880s | 3,566 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Jacob mean?
Jacob comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to “heel” and read as “supplanter.” The patriarch Jacob’s twelve sons founded the tribes of Israel; the same name gives us James.
Nicknames for Jacob
- Jake
- Jay
- Coby
Variants & spellings
- Jakob
- Jacobo
- Yaakov
Names like Jacob
Hebrew names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Jacob
Popular Hebrew names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Jacob
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jacob mean?
Jacob means Supplanter. Jacob comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to “heel” and read as “supplanter.” The patriarch Jacob’s twelve sons founded the tribes of Israel; the same name gives us James.
What is the origin of the name Jacob?
Jacob is of Hebrew origin.
How do you pronounce Jacob?
Jacob is pronounced “JAY-kub.”
Is Jacob a boy or a girl name?
Jacob is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Jacob a popular name right now?
Jacob is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1998 peak.
How popular is the name Jacob?
In 2025, Jacob ranked #43 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Jacob most popular?
Jacob was most popular in 1998, when about 36,031 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Jacob?
Common nicknames for Jacob include Jake, Jay, Coby.
What names are similar to Jacob?
Names similar to Jacob include James, Isaac, Levi, Caleb.
What names go well with Jacob?
Hebrew names that pair well with Jacob include James, Michael, John, David, Mary.