Jacob
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Supplanter; Holder of the Heel
Background: The name Jacob originates from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (יעקב), meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel,' derived from the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. This name was adopted into Greek as Ἰακώβ (Iakōb) and later into Latin as Iacobus, maintaining the original meaning associated with the narrative.
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#29
Total births
984,245
Most popular decade
1990s
(897,003 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-37 ranks)
Years in Top 100
75
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
99.8% male
0.2% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 404
- First year rank
- #39
- Peak year
- 1998
- Peak year births
- 36,027
- Peak rank
- #2
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 6,496
- Recent rank
- #41
Female
- First year
- 1911
- First year births
- 5
- First year rank
- #2,463
- Peak year
- 2004
- Peak year births
- 171
- Peak rank
- #1,262
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 9
- Recent rank
- #10,241
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).