Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jake
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “short form of Jacob”
- Meaning
- short form of Jacob
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAYK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #457
- US babies 2025
- 682
- Best rank
- #96 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Jake
Jake is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Jacob”.
Jake appeared in medieval England as a variant of Jack, but today it is almost always used as a short form of Jacob. Jacob comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally explained as "held by the heel" or "supplanter," from the story of Jacob grasping his twin brother Esau's heel at birth. Jake has long stood on its own as a full name, with an easygoing, all-American image. It is a single strong syllable, friendly and uncomplicated, and it feels at home in both casual and formal settings. Some parents choose Jacob for the birth certificate and use Jake every day, while others prefer Jake by itself. It sits well with other short classics like Luke, Sam and Ben.
Popularity over time
Jake 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 #96 in 2000, and the most babies received it in 2004, when 4,473 were named Jake. In 2025, 682 babies were named Jake, and it ranked #457 nationally. That is 64% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #296 in 1920, #485 in 1950, #332 in 1980, #96 in 2000, #115 in 2010, and #457 in 2025. Of the 129,322 US boys named Jake since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 33,115 babies. Since 2010, 26,422 more have been named Jake.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Colin, Ashton, Ivan, Conner, and Braden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jake ranked highest in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #192 | 51 |
| Connecticut | #272 | 12 |
| New York | #285 | 66 |
| Massachusetts | #294 | 20 |
| Mississippi | #294 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jake is usually pronounced JAYK, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-ke”.
Middle names for Jake
A few middle names that flow with Jake: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jake
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Lists that include Jake
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jake mean?
Jake is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Jacob”.
What is the origin of the name Jake?
Jake has English and Hebrew roots. Jake appeared in medieval England as a variant of Jack, but today it is almost always used as a short form of Jacob.
Is Jake a popular name?
Yes. Jake ranked #457 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jake a boy or girl name?
Jake is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jake?
Jake is usually pronounced JAYK. 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