Boy · 4069th of 23,106
Jak
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
520
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2014
Peak Popularity Year
34
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jak 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
The name Jak originates from English, meaning 'supplanter.' It evolved through various forms, starting from the Latin Iacobus to Old French Jacques, and then to Jack and finally Jak. The name is associated with traits of creativity and youthfulness and does not have a specific biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒæk/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Jak is derived from the name Jack, which itself comes from the Old French name Jacques. Jacques ultimately traces back to the Latin name Iacobus, which is a derivative of the Hebrew name Ya'akov.
Meaning
supplanter
Language Evolution
Iacobus (Latin), Jacques (Old French), Jack (Middle English), Jak (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Jak gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages as a diminutive form of Jack, which was commonly used as a given name and later became a standalone name.
Variants & Derivatives
Jack, Jackson, Jakob, Jace
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jak is perceived as a modern and casual name, often associated with youthfulness and creativity. It has been embraced in contemporary culture.
Famous People
Jakob Dylan - American singer-songwriter, Jakob Poeltl - Austrian professional basketball player
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 34 peak births in 2014
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 3 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 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 3 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5864th of 24088 | 207 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4069th of 23106 | 307 |