What Does the Name Jacob Mean?
Jacob is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter (holder of the heel).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Jacob |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | supplanter (holder of the heel) |
| Variants | James, Jake, Jakob, Yaakov, Jacques |
| Popularity | Most popular US boys' name from 1999 through 2012 |
The meaning and origin of Jacob
The name Jacob means “supplanter (holder of the heel)” and has Hebrew origins. Jacob is the English form of the Hebrew Ya'aqov, linked to the word for 'heel,' as he grasped his twin Esau's heel at birth; it is interpreted as 'supplanter.' He was a foundational patriarch of Israel.
Variants and related names
Jacob is related to several other names you may recognize: James, Jake, Jakob, Yaakov, Jacques. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Jacob?
Most popular US boys' name from 1999 through 2012
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jacob mean?+
The name Jacob means “supplanter (holder of the heel)” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Jacob?+
Jacob originates from Hebrew.
Is Jacob a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Jacob has trended in the US over time.
Jacob by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press