Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jacob
BoyHebrew· “holder of the heel, supplanter”
- Meaning
- holder of the heel, supplanter
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAY-kuhb
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #43
- US babies 2025
- 6,152
- Best rank
- #1 (1999)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Jacob
Jacob is a Hebrew name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
Jacob is the patriarch of Genesis, twin brother of Esau and father of the twelve sons whose descendants formed the tribes of Israel. The Bible connects his Hebrew name, Ya'aqov, with the word for heel, since he was born grasping his brother's heel, and so it is often translated "holder of the heel" or "supplanter". Some scholars think it originally meant "may God protect". The same Hebrew name also gave English the name James, through a Latin variant. Jacob was a steady choice among English Puritans and later became a dominant American boy name. It sounds sturdy and approachable, with Jake as the classic nickname and Coby as a gentler option.
Popularity over time
Jacob has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #1 in 1999, and the most babies received it in 1998, when 36,031 were named Jacob. In 2025, 6,152 babies were named Jacob, and it ranked #43 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #143 in 1920, #318 in 1950, #43 in 1980, #1 in 2000, #1 in 2010, and #43 in 2025. Of the 988,227 US boys named Jacob since records began, 30% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 274,077 babies. Since 2010, 208,499 more have been named Jacob.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jacob ranked highest in New York, New Jersey, and Wyoming.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #9 | 631 |
| New Jersey | #15 | 274 |
| Wyoming | #17 | 14 |
| Rhode Island | #22 | 25 |
| District of Columbia | #24 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jacob is usually pronounced JAY-kuhb, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-ob”.
Middle names for Jacob
A few middle names that flow with Jacob: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jacob
Similar names
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EE-thuhn
“firm, enduring, strong” · Hebrew
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Jose Boy
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Ian Boy
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Job Boy
JOHB
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Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Lists that include Jacob
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jacob mean?
Jacob is a Hebrew name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name Jacob?
Jacob has Hebrew roots. Jacob is the patriarch of Genesis, twin brother of Esau and father of the twelve sons whose descendants formed the tribes of Israel.
Is Jacob a popular name?
Yes. Jacob ranked #43 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Jacob a boy or girl name?
Jacob is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jacob?
Jacob is usually pronounced JAY-kuhb. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings