How to Pronounce Jacob
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Jacob name meaning
First Name
945k
in the U.S.
since 1880
945k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
25k
in the U.S.
in 2010
25k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Jacob mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Jacob
User Submitted Origins
English
46%
Hebrew
43%
American
6%
Jewish
5%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from Kentucky, U.S. says the name Jacob means "Supplanter, holder of his brother's heel, 'May God Protect'".
- A user from Colorado, U.S. says the name Jacob is of Hebrew origin and means "More powerful than god".
- According to 2 people from the United States and the United Kingdom, the name Jacob is of English origin and means "God protects".
- A user from Oklahoma, U.S. says the name Jacob is of African Dutch (Afrikaans) origin and means "Strong as god".
- According to a user from Illinois, U.S., the name Jacob means "Born from god".
- A user from Texas, U.S. says the name Jacob is of Hebrew origin and means "God given".
- A submission from Canada says the name Jacob means "God".
- A user from the United Kingdom says the name Jacob is of Nigerian origin and means "More powerful than time itself".
- 4 submissions from the United States and Iraq agree the name Jacob means "Supplanter" and is of Hebrew origin.
- According to 2 people from Wisconsin, U.S., the name Jacob is of English origin and means "To never give up".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Ja"cob
A Hebrew patriarch (son of Isaac, and ancestor of the Jews), who in a vision saw a ladder reaching up to heaven (Gen. xxviii. 12); -- also called Israel.
Etymology: Cf. F. Jacob. See 2d Jack
Other Dictionary Sources
- (Old Testament) son of Isaac; brother of Esau; father of the twelve patriarchs of Israel; Jacob wrestled with God and forced God to bless him, so God gave Jacob the new name of Israel (meaning `one who has been strong against God')
- French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
Wiktionary
From Late Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Biblical Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ, literally “heel-grabber”), from עָקֵב (ʿāqēḇ, “heel”). Doublet of James.
- One of the sons of Isaac and Rebecca, and twin brother of Esau; father of the Israelites (Jews and Samaritans).
- A male given name from Hebrew.
- A breed of multihorned sheep.
Jacob was also found in the following language(s): Catalan, Cebuano, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish
Notable Persons Named Jacob
Notable Persons Named Jacob
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal is an actor. He was most prominent from 1991 to present. Jake was given the name Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal by his parents Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal on December 19th, 1980 in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Jack Ruby
Jack Ruby was a nightclub operator, nightclub, and nightcluboperator. Jack was given the name Jacob Leon Rubenstein on March 25th, 1911. He left this life on January 3rd, 1967.
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was a composer, pianist, and musical composer. He holds the title Swanee. He has had major accomplishments since 1916. George was given the name Jacob Gershwine on September 26th, 1898 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. He passed away on July 11th, 1937.
Jacob Tremblay
Jacob Tremblay is an actor. He was most active from 2013 to present. Jacob was born on October 5th, 2006 in Vancouver.
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma is a President of the African National Congress, 4th President of South Africa, President of theAfrican National Congress, and Deputy President of South Africa. Jacob was born on April 12th, 1942 in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield was a stand-up comedian and actor. He was most prominent from 1940 to 1949. Rodney was given the name Jacob Rodney Cohen on November 22nd, 1921 in Deer Park, New York, U.S. He left this life on October 5th, 2004.
- Jacob Rees-MoggFor North East Somerset
- Jack KevorkianPhysician
- Jake Tapper
- Jack Klugman
- Jacob RiisArtist
- Camille PissarroArtist
- Jack L. WarnerFilm Executive
- Taio CruzSinger-songwriter
- John GarfieldActor
- Jacob ArtistActor
- Jacob LawrenceArtist
- Jake AbelActor
- Jacob Appelbaum
- Jake PavelkaPilot
Notable Persons With the Last Name Jacob
Notable Persons With the Last Name Jacob
Irène Jacob
Irène Jacob is an actress. She has been prominent since 1987. Irène was given the name Irène Marie Jacob on July 15th, 1966 in Suresnes, France.
Piers Anthony
Piers Anthony is a science fiction and fantasy novelist and short story. His ongoing career started in 1967. Piers was given the name Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob on August 6th, 1934 in Oxford, England, UK.
Jacob
Jacob is a protector of the island and mythology of lost.
J. F. R. Jacob
J. F. R. Jacob is a list of governors of goa and list of governors of punjab (india). His military service ended in 1978.
Simone Veil
Simone Veil is a President of the European Parliament. Her career lasted from 1974 to 1979. Simone was given the name Simone Annie Liline Jacob on July 13th, 1927 in Nice, France.
Max Jacob
Max Jacob was a writer. Max was born on July 12th, 1876 in Quimper, Finistère, Brittany. He passed away on March 5th, 1944.
Common last names for Jacob
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Jacob | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 59.98% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 10.26% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 22.53% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.97% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.15% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 4.12% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Jacob
People with the last name Jacob are most frequently White, African American, or Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Jacob
| #30 | Most Popular Boy Names |
| #100 | Classic Boy Names |