Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Yakov
BoyHebrew, Russian· “supplanter”
- Meaning
- supplanter
- Origin
- Hebrew, Russian
- Pronunciation
- YAH-kuhv
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,286
- US babies 2025
- 153
- Best rank
- #1,195 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Yakov
Yakov is a Hebrew and Russian name that means “supplanter”.
Yakov is the Hebrew and Russian form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Yaakov, traditionally explained as supplanter or one who holds the heel. The name comes from the biblical patriarch Jacob, who grabbed his twin brother Esau's heel at birth and later became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Yakov is common in Jewish families and throughout Russia and Eastern Europe, and it has been borne by writers, scientists and performers. Yasha and Yankel are traditional diminutives. For families who want a heritage form of a classic biblical name, Yakov is both strong and warm.
Popularity over time
Yakov first appears in US Social Security records in 1953. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,195 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 172 babies. In 2025, 153 babies were named Yakov, and it ranked #1,286 nationally. That is 34% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,727 in 1980, #2,195 in 2000, #1,758 in 2010, and #1,286 in 2025. Of the 3,353 US boys named Yakov since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 827 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Oren, Steele, Gray, Arman, and Benaiah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yakov ranked highest in New York and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #152 | 126 |
| New Jersey | #409 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Yakov is usually pronounced YAH-kuhv, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with Y and ends in “-ov”.
Middle names for Yakov
A few middle names that flow with Yakov: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yakov
Similar names
Mikhail Boy
mih-KAYL
“who is like God” · Russian
#1,884
Ilya Unisex
EEL-yuh
“Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh” · Russian
#3,153
Jadon Boy
JAY-duhn
“he will judge; also variant of Jaden” · Hebrew
#1,282
Isiah Boy
eye-ZY-uh
“God is salvation; variant of Isaiah” · Hebrew
#1,480
Seamus Boy
SHAY-muhs
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · Irish
#1,280
Micaiah Unisex
my-KAY-uh
“who is like Yahweh?” · Hebrew
#1,386
Tiago Boy
tee-AH-goh
“form of James; 'supplanter'” · Portuguese
#1,117
Johann Boy
YOH-hahn
“God is gracious (form of John)” · German
#1,856
Adiel Boy
AY-dee-el
“ornament of God” · Hebrew
#1,141
Ismail Boy
is-mah-EEL
“God will hear” · Arabic
#1,065
Ishmael Boy
ISH-may-el
“God will hear” · Hebrew
#1,469
Oren Boy
OHR-uhn
“pine tree” · Hebrew
#1,184
Lists that include Yakov
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yakov mean?
Yakov is a Hebrew and Russian name that means “supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name Yakov?
Yakov has Hebrew and Russian roots. Yakov is the Hebrew and Russian form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Yaakov, traditionally explained as supplanter or one who holds the heel.
Is Yakov a popular name?
Not especially. Yakov ranked #1,286 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yakov a boy or girl name?
Yakov is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Yakov?
Yakov is usually pronounced YAH-kuhv. 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