The name Jacob is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter". Jacob is ranked #10 on our popularity charts and is often added to lists like Bible Names for Boys and discussed in our forums with posts like "Quick Question Thread?!".
From the experts:
Biblical Jacob ceded his Number 1 spot to biblical Noah, in 2013, after holding first place on the list of baby boy names from 1999 to 2012, having been given a huge boost by the Twilight phenomenon. Jacob is still the most popular of the boy names starting with J
Jacob has widespread appeal to a range of parents, with an image of honesty and warmth. Another plus is the friendly nickname Jake -- also given on its own to thousands of boys every year -- which shares the cool appeal of equally stylish cousins Max and Sam.
The downside is that Jacob is at this point way overused. In the Old Testament, Jacob was one of the most important patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. He was the youngest son of Isaac and Rebecca and the twin brother of Esau, as well as the husband of both Leah and Rachel. The 12 tribes of Israel evolved from his 12 sons.
Jacoby is a rapidly rising variation. Jakob, meanwhile, is an alternate spelling used by the Dutch, Scandinavians and Germans. Some interesting international versions include the Scottish Hamish, the Cornish Jago and the Dutch Jaap.
Lists containing Jacob:
- Alternatives to Adam
- International Variations of Jacob
- Classic Boy Names
- Popular Bible Baby Names
- Names to Substitute for Jacob
- Vintage Boy Names
- Top Baby Names for Boys
- Vintage Baby Names
- Werewolf Baby Names
- Bible Names for Boys
- Number One Baby Names
- Spooky Halloween Baby Names
- Baby Name Favorites Right Now
- Hebrew Baby Names
- English Names with International Style
- Most Common Names for Boys
- Biblical Baby Names
Comments
Leah_ Says:
Alaina Says:
I actually like Jake more than Jacob. I like nn more sometimes. But this name is still very cute.
LV51sfan91 Says:
I love this name as a whole ONLY! No nickname Jake! I love this on a boy but a grown man I'm not so sure...
Jacob Hymel Says:
This is my name. I was born in 1995, when the name was just starting to get popular. I don't like that it's so common now. It just seems really trite. That being said, I've gotten kind of complacent with my name. I still like it, and I wouldn't change it.
Essa Says:
I love Jacob, I am slightly put off by it's popularity but when I think about it, I only know one Jacob and he's the same age as me so maybe it's not that common where I'm from. I dislike the nickname Jake though, I was to use a nickname, I'd call him Coby.
SimoneKadele Says:
No nickname is inevitable. I know at least three Jacobs who don't go by any nickname (and only 2 Jakes)!
missLis Says:
my cousin is named this
lovepurple90 Says:
My son's middle name. Very common though.
indiefendi2 Says:
My mom hates this name because of that story of Jacob tricking his dad into giving them his inheritance. I think that's very petty of her but I don't care for the name either. I think Jake is an annoying nickname. I prefer Caleb.
Addie88 Says:
This is a good strong name, although I don't particularly like its inevitable nickname Jake.
Leah3456 Says:
Classic boy name. I can understand the popularity.
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There are roughly 110 boys in my grade at school. Seven of them have the first name Jacob. I can understand why: it is a very handsome name. The popularity (in my region at least) is a little overwhelming.