| Jacob | Joseph | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Supplanter | God shall add |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JAY-kub | JOH-zef |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1998 (36,031) | 1956 (32,749) |
| In 2025 | 6,152 | 7,303 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Jacob | Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 45,178 | 46,334 |
| 2010s | 163,321 | 115,722 |
| 2000s | 274,077 | 194,962 |
| 1990s | 298,415 | 260,751 |
| 1980s | 124,254 | 299,411 |
| 1970s | 36,351 | 244,825 |
| 1960s | 5,075 | 283,048 |
| 1950s | 5,400 | 300,012 |
| 1940s | 4,853 | 230,285 |
| 1930s | 5,264 | 180,566 |
| 1920s | 9,047 | 243,809 |
| 1910s | 8,684 | 179,300 |
| 1900s | 2,191 | 35,173 |
| 1890s | 2,551 | 29,000 |
| 1880s | 3,566 | 26,292 |
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.
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, “he will add” or “God will increase.” It is borne by Joseph of the coat of many colours and by St Joseph, husband of Mary.
Joseph is more popular than Jacob today: about 7,303 US babies were given the name Joseph in 2025, compared with 6,152 named Jacob.
Jacob means Supplanter (Hebrew origin), while Joseph means God shall add (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Jacob first appears in 1880 and Joseph in 1880, so Jacob has the longer recorded history.