Boy · 1st of 24,088
Jacob
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
984,245
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1998
Peak Popularity Year
36,087
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jacob stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jacob is a Hebrew name meaning 'supplanter' that has evolved through various languages from Ya'aqov to James. It has biblical significance as a patriarch and has maintained popularity due to its strong associations and historical usage, particularly in Christian contexts.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒeɪkəb/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Jacob comes from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, which is derived from the root 'aqab', meaning 'to follow' or 'to supplant'.
Meaning
Supplanter
Language Evolution
Ya'aqov (Hebrew), Iacobus (Latin), Jacobus (Late Latin), Jacques (Old French), James (English)
Biblical Background
Jacob is a significant figure in the Bible, known as the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the grandson of Abraham. He is the patriarch of the Israelites.
Historical Usage
The name Jacob gained popularity in the Christian world after the translation of the Bible into Latin, particularly during the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
James, Jake, Jacques, Diego, Iago
Modern Popularity & Image
Jacob has remained a popular name in many English-speaking countries, often associated with strength and reliability.
Famous People
Jacob Grimm (German philologist and folklorist), Jacob Lawrence (American painter), Jacob Black (character from Twilight series), Jacob Sartorius (American singer and social media star)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 36,087 peak births in 1998
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 139th of 7545 | 18,324 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 239th of 6773 | 9,463 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 329th of 7552 | 9,900 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 104th of 10718 | 47,476 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 19th of 16616 | 308,590 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1st of 24088 | 441,284 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10th of 23106 | 140,553 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5980th of 9107 | 30 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6604th of 9204 | 22 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11010th of 12526 | 10 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3870th of 19264 | 258 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1938th of 27321 | 1,050 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3171st of 35406 | 785 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8567th of 30306 | 150 |