Would you like to learn more about the popularity, history and meaning of the name Jacob?
Over 10,000 Names Available, including the Origins and Meanings!
Our mission is to provide a quick, easy, fun and affordable way for you to give a “one of a kind gift” with your very own combination of our name poems, art backgrounds, and color-coordinated mats.
You can quickly and easily create a gift that will truly become a treasured family keepsake!
All Poems: $6.50 All Mats: $4.50
Popularity of the name Jacob
According to the Social Security Administration, Jacob was the 24th most popular baby boy’s name in America in 2021, the 15th in 2020, 13th in 2018 and 2019, 9th in 2017, 7th in 2016, and 4th in 2015. Of special note, Jacob held the #1 spot for 14 years from 1999 to 2012! So, this wonderful, classic name has certainly remained popular over the years!
Average number of web searches for the name Jacob over time
If you would you like to see what Jacob looks like on all of our beautiful art quality backgrounds, Click Here
History and meaning of the name Jacob
The name Jacob is of Hebrew origin and means “To Take a Place in Heaven” and “To Follow.” In the Old Testament, Jacob was one of two sons (twins) born to Isaac and Rebecca. It was said he was born after his brother Esau, and gripping Esau’s heel in his hand, which led to the meaning “to follow.”
The meaning of the name “Jacob” is consistent across several languages, countries and cultures, and LindseyBoo Creations strives for accuracy in researching the origins and meanings of names. If you have a special meaning for your Jacob, however, please let us know and we will custom-write it for you (at no additional charge)!
Variations we’ve done on the name Jacob
Click on any name below to see how it looks with different background and mat combinations.
If you would you like to see what Jacob looks like on all of our beautiful art quality backgrounds, Click Here
Famous People named Jacob
Famous people named Jacob include the actor Jake Gyllenhaal, brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal; American professional boxer Jake LaMotta; and Jakob Dylan, son of one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century, Bob Dylan – Jakob Dylan is a singer-songwriter in his own right, and lead singer of the band The Wallflowers.
If you would you like to see what Jacob looks like on all of our beautiful art quality backgrounds, Click Here
Your Jacob
I am sure your Jacob is destined to take a place in Heaven, and that he is a follower of rules and regulations! I love to hear from our customers about how the meanings of their loved ones’ names really do match their names!
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the various art backgrounds and mat combinations shown here in this blog that go so beautifully with this wonderful name! Please remember that any name can be combined with any art background and mat combination of your choice.
Thank you for reading my blog about Jacob! Have fun perusing our website, looking up the names of your family, friends and loved ones – and in the rare event we don’t have the name that you’re looking for, I am happy to write it for you at no extra charge!
Frequently asked questions about the name Jacob (FAQ)
Do people like the name Jacob?
How Popular Is the Name Jacob? Jacob was ranked in 2020 as the fifteenth most popular name for boys in the U.S., proving it’s still a fan-favorite among parents looking for a strong but traditional boy’s name.
What is Jacob short for?
In a Christian context, Jacob – James in English form – is the name for several people in the New Testament: (1) the apostle James, son of Zebedee, (2) another apostle, James, son of Alphaeus, and (3) James the brother of Jesus (James the Just), who led the original Nazarene Community in Jerusalem.
What is the biblical meaning of the name Jacob?
From the Hebrew Ya’aqov, Jacob can mean “to follow, lead behind,” but it can also mean “to supplant, overreach” and also comes from the Hebrew word for “heel.” It can also mean “may God protect.” All are based on the biblical story of Jacob. The original Jacob is a hero of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian faiths.
Classic meaning of the name Jacob
Jacob is a classic and popular boy’s name. It comes from the Old Testament and means “supplanter,” which is often interpreted as someone who seizes, circumvents, or usurps. In the book of Genesis, the twins Jacob and Esau were born to Isaac and Rebecca; Esau came first, making him the first-born son, and Jacob followed.
What nationality is the name Jacob?
The nationality of the name Jacob is Hebrew.
Jacob is a common male given name and a less well-known surname. It is a cognate of James, derived from Late Latin Iacobus, from Greek Ἰάκωβος Iakobos, from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqōḇ), the name of the Hebrew patriarch, Jacob son of Isaac and Rebecca.
Is Jacob a rare name?
How common is the name Jacob for a baby born in 2021? Jacob was the 24th most popular boys name and 11,053rd most popular girls name. In 2021 there were 8,397 baby boys and only 8 baby girls named Jacob. 1 out of every 222 baby boys and 1 out of every 222,436 baby girls born in 2021 were named Jacob.
Is Jacob a good name?
It’s safe to say Jacob is one of the all-time classic name choices for baby boys, and you can’t go wrong with such a wonderful name for a baby boy. It is a strong name, with many men using the equally classic form of “Jake” as a nickname as they grow older.
If you enjoy reading about the popularity and meanings of names, check out my in-depth article “What’s in a Name?”
What’s in a name?
Here is a short excerpt:
“We believe all children are gifts to our world, and their beautiful, deeply thought-out names deserve to be memorialized in poetry, meant to not only capture the wonderful feelings the gift giver has for the recipient, but also the wonderful characteristics and attributes of the recipient.“
As King Solomon aptly stated, “A good name is rather to be chosen than riches.”