Jacob

Primarily a boy's name · 100% boys

Origin: English

Jacob first appears in the data in 1981 and has been recorded in 45 different years as a boy's name. Its single biggest year was 2016 with 1,912 babies (rank #18 that year). In 2025 it was given to 253 boys (rank #79). The name has been declining over the last five years.

Numerology of Jacob

In Pythagorean numerology, every letter has a value from 1 to 9. Adding the letters of Jacob yields these three numbers — a playful read on the name's character.

4Destiny numberThe builderPractical, steady, gets results through hard work.Sum of every letter. The overall character a name carries.
7Soul urgeThe seekerIntrospective, analytical, drawn to the unknown.Sum of the vowels — what's said to drive the heart.
6PersonalityThe carerNurturing, responsible, family at the centre.Sum of the consonants — the outer impression.

28,292

Total babies (all years)

Years in the data

1,912

Peak in a single year

Popularity Over Time — Boys

Also a character in

In Twilight: Jacob Black — werewolf
In Bible: Jacob — wrestled an angel

Famous people named Jacob

Jacobshepherd · b. 1790 BC
Jacob Zumaminister · b. 1942
Jacob Grimmmythographer · b. 1785
Jacob Burckhardtcultural historian · b. 1818

More popular boys' names

Names ranked near Jacob in 2025

Other boys' names starting with J

Year-by-Year Detail

Rank is among all boys' names registered that year.

Year	Babies	Rank
1981	52	#106
1982	139	#79
1983	195	#63
1984	196	#62
1985	203	#61
1986	244	#56
1987	256	#54
1988	328	#44
1989	393	#35
1990	521	#27
1991	579	#22
1992	731	#19
1993	831	#19
1994	836	#20
1995	838	#18
1996	852	#17
1997	919	#12
1998	901	#10
1999	986	#9
2000	1,010	#8
2001	876	#11
2002	765	#15
2003	746	#16
2004	735	#16
2005	716	#16
2006	401	#19
2007	407	#21
2008	605	#22
2009	581	#21
2010	680	#17
2011	708	#15
2012	732	#13
2013	659	#15
2014	677	#15
2015	1,885	#16
2016	1,912	#18
2017	694	#30
2018	641	#32
2019	770	#34
2020	576	#34
2021	363	#41
2022	287	#50
2023	285	#48
2024	328	#60
2025	253	#79