International Variations of Jacob

International Variations of Jacob

The Number 1 boy's name in the US from 1999 until 2012, the Biblical Jacob also translates into many other cultures across the globe.

There are several handsome forms of Jacob used internationally, such Cornish Jago, Polish Kuba, Italian Giacomo, and French Jacques.

Here is our full list of international variations of Jacob, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

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International Forms of Classic Names

Search Names by Origin

  1. Jacob
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      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, given a huge boost by the Twilight phenomenon.
  2. Hamish
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of James
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.
  3. Diego
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of James
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      The energetic Diego is rising rapidly along with a lot of other authentically Spanish baby names that work perfectly well with surnames of any origin.
  4. Jago
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Cornish variation of Jacob
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Jago is a dashing alternative to overused favorite Jacob.
  5. Tiago
    • Origin:

      Portuguese diminutive of Santiago, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "Saint James"
    • Description:

      Tiago, also spelled Thiago, is a popular Portuguese boys' name. Derived from the more formal Santiago, these days it is often used on its own. Relaxed and charming while still maintaining the sophistication of its long form, Tiago is popular in its native Portugal, but also in France, Belgium, Brazil, and the UK.
  6. Jaime
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of James
    • Description:

      A Hispanic classic that has lost some momentum in recent years. It could be misunderstood by some as Jamie -- which is how it's pronounced on Game of Thrones.
  7. Jacques
    • Origin:

      French variation of James and Jacob
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Regal and ancient feeling, Jacques has been declining in popularity in its native France, but in the UK, it saw a surprising revival in 2022. Jumping from somewhere around the #2500 mark straight to #600, it was seven times more popular than in 2021.
  8. Jaco
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Jacob
    • Description:

      Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.
  9. Giacomo
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of James
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Giacomo is a primo member of the Giovanni-Gino-Giancarlo-Giacomo gruppo of Italian names that are beginning to be adopted by American parents. Singer/creative baby namer Sting chose it for his son.
  10. Kobi
    • Description:

      Kobi is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Hebrew, it's a diminutive of Jacob (meaning 'supplanter') or a variant of Koby, sometimes used as a nickname for Yaakov. The name gained recognition through basketball legend Kobe Bryant, though his name has different Japanese origins. Kobi also appears in African naming traditions, particularly in Ghana. The name is appreciated for its brevity, modern sound, and cross-cultural appeal. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Kobi has seen increased usage since the 1990s. Its international versatility and contemporary feel make it attractive to parents seeking a name that works well across different cultures while remaining distinctive and memorable.

  11. Kuba
    • Origin:

      Short form of Jakub
    • Description:

      Kuba is the attractive short form of Jakub, the spelling of Jacob commonly used in Poland. Much more distinctive than Jake!
  12. Yakov
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Jacob
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      What a difference a couple of letters make: Old World version of most popular name never quite made it out of the shtetl.
  13. Jakob
    • Origin:

      German, Norwegian, and Slovenian variation of Jacob, Hebrew variation of James
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      After cracking the US Top 200 in the early 2000s, fueled by Jacob's rise, this name has been losing steam in recent years. But Jakob is the top form of the name in many other countries, cultures, and languages, ranking highly in Germany, Norway, Austria, Iceland, and Slovenia. Jakub is the Polish variation.
  14. Jakub
    • Origin:

      Polish, Czech, and Slovak variation of Jacob, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Jakub is an authentic Polish variation of the megapopular Jacob, but in the US it will feel like a kree8tiv spelling. Kuba is the cute Polish short form.
  15. Jakub
    • Origin:

      Polish, Czech, and Slovak variation of Jacob, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Jakub is an authentic Polish variation of the megapopular Jacob, but in the US it will feel like a kree8tiv spelling. Kuba is the cute Polish short form.
  16. Jacobe
    • Description:

      Jacobe is a masculine name that presents an alternative spelling to the traditional Jacob, which comes from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' This biblical name refers to the Old Testament patriarch Jacob, who was born holding his twin brother's heel. The Jacobe spelling maintains the original pronunciation while adding a slightly distinctive appearance with the final 'e.' While less common than the standard Jacob, this variant has gained some usage among parents seeking a subtle twist on the classic name. Jacobe carries the same rich biblical heritage and strong masculine qualities as Jacob while standing slightly apart from its immense popularity. The name's simple strength and historical depth make it appealing across various cultural backgrounds.
  17. Giacopo
    • Description:

      Giacopo is a masculine name of Italian origin, representing a variant form of Giacomo, which is the Italian equivalent of James. Ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya'akov (Jacob), meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel," Giacopo carries the weight of this ancient biblical heritage. This particular spelling variation is less common than Giacomo, giving the name a distinctive quality even within Italian naming traditions. Giacopo has a melodic, flowing pronunciation characteristic of Italian names, with emphasis on the second syllable. The name evokes connections to Italian cultural heritage and artistic traditions, sharing roots with notable historical figures like the painter Jacopo Tintoretto. While primarily used in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities, Giacopo remains relatively rare, offering a unique option that maintains clear cultural roots.

  18. Kubes
    • Description:

      Kubes is an uncommon masculine name with possible Czech or Slavic origins. It may be derived from Jakub (the Czech form of Jacob) as a diminutive or nickname. The name could also have connections to the surname Kubeš, which appears in Czech genealogy. Kubes has a distinctive, modern sound despite its traditional roots. As a first name, it remains extremely rare in global usage, making it an exceptionally unique choice. Parents might be drawn to Kubes for its distinctive sound, brevity, and the way it combines an approachable pronunciation with uncommon status. Its rarity means a child named Kubes would likely have a truly distinctive identity.
  19. Jacopo
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Jacob, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      One of Jacob’s perkier variations.
  20. Kubo
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "sunken ground"
    • Description:

      The lead character of the Oscar-nominated 2016 film "Kubo and the Two Strings" lives in Edo-period Japan, but his name is more often heard as a surname in Japan. Still, fans of the animated movie may want to consider it.