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Why parents love Jacob- Thirteen years at number one — the second-longest reign in modern naming.
- The patriarch Jacob became Israel — founding father of a nation.
- Two syllables with a strong, grounded sound: JAY-kub.
- Jake is one of the most likeable nicknames in English.
- Twilight's Jacob Black added pop-culture voltage.
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The vibe of Jacob
patriarchsupplanterIsraelgroundedthirteen-year-reignwrestlerJakewerewolf
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Origin & history of Jacob
Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Ya'aqov, supplanter/heel-grasper)
→ English Jacob
1
Hebrew / Scandinavian / Amish roots
Jacob comes from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, meaning he who grasps the heel or supplanter. In Genesis, Jacob is one of the most complex characters in the Bible: he tricks his brother, wrestles with God (or an angel), and is renamed Israel — becoming the father of the twelve tribes. Jacob held the US number-one position from 1999 to 2012 — thirteen consecutive years, the second-longest modern reign after Michael's 44 years. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight featured Jacob Black as the werewolf love interest, adding a pop-culture dimension.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Biblical — Genesis 25-50, the story of Jacob/Israel, patriarch of the twelve tribes.
3
Today
Jacob remains a beloved choice, ranking #19 in the US. 984,245 babies have been named Jacob since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Genesis 25-50, SSA data
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How popular is Jacob?
1998
peak year
Jacob was a name of the 1990s. Through that decade it averaged #8 nationally — one of the era's most chosen names. In 1998, 36,027 babies were given the name — making it the #2 most popular name in the United States that year. It remains in active use today at in the top fifty (#19), with roughly 10,556 babies per year. Jacob has been declining in recent years. The all-time total comes to roughly 984,245 registrations.
Year-by-year registrations
1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
36,027
Babies named in peak year
(ranked #2)
(ranked #2)
10,556
Avg. per year
(last decade)
(last decade)
105,560
Total registrations
last 10 years
last 10 years
984,245
All-time total
(since 1880)
(since 1880)
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Numerology of Jacob4
Life path number
The Builder
Discipline, reliability and masterful building.
Jacob's Life Path 2 is the diplomat's number — the trickster who became a patriarch. People named Jacob tend to be strategic, persistent, and capable of transforming themselves through sheer determination.
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Strategic transformer✦
Persistent wrestler◈
Becomes what he fights for◎
Patriarch energy♡
Thirteen-year kingJ1
A1
C3
O6
B2
Sum: 13 → Life path 4
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Personality of Jacob🏛️
Steady & reliable
When they make a promise, they keep it.
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Methodical
Thorough, careful, precise.
💪
Quietly powerful
Their strength is always there when it matters.
🌿
Grounded
No matter what swirls around them, they stay centred.
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Famous people named JacobClick any name to view their Wikipedia page.
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If you like Jacob, you may also love◎
Names that sound like JacobIf you love Jacob, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.
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Names that combine with JacobSibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Jacob.
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Middle names for JacobThe right middle name turns Jacob into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.
Want a personalised middle name for Jacob? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.
♡ Generate middle name for Jacob →✦
Numerology life path calculatorEnter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.
First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number
How we calculated this
Jacob is a beautiful choice.
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