Jacob

Meaning: supplanter; held by the heel · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

From Hebrew Ya'aqov, linked to 'heel' — the patriarch Jacob was born holding his twin Esau's heel. It was the No. 1 US boys' name from 1999 to 2012.

Famous people named Jacob

Jacob Elordi (actor)

Nicknames

Jake, Jakey, Coby

Variants & related names

James, Jakob, Jacques, Giacomo, Yaakov

Jacob name art

A free preview of a printable “Jacob” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Jacob mean?

Jacob means “supplanter; held by the heel”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is Jacob a popular name?

Yes — Jacob has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Jacob?

Jake, Jakey, Coby.

What are other forms of Jacob?

James, Jakob, Jacques, Giacomo, Yaakov.

Similar names

Solomon · Reuben · Joaquin · Elliott · Noah · James

More: names starting with J · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.