Jacob
Peaked at #1 nationally in 1999, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Jacob has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Jacob comes from the Hebrew Ya'akov, traditionally interpreted as "supplanter" or "one who follows," tied to the Genesis account of Jacob grasping his twin brother Esau's heel at birth. As the third patriarch of the Israelites, later renamed Israel, Jacob is one of the central figures of the Hebrew Bible, which secured the name's long history across Jewish and Christian cultures.
Notable people & culture
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (born Jacob) and British politician Jacob Rees-Mogg are two well-known modern bearers, while actor Jacob Elordi has risen to prominence in film and television. The name topped the U.S. popularity charts for boys for over a decade in the 2000s and 2010s. Jake is its most common nickname.
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Jacob — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1263
in 2004
Current rank
#10576
in 2024
Years tracked
66
1911–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1911, Jacob reached its peak popularity for girls in 2004, ranking #1263 nationally with 171 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #8664 (2014) to #10576 (2024) — a 18% drop.
As of 2024, Jacob ranks #10576 nationally for girls, with 9 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #10,576 | 9 |
| 2023 | #14,114 | 6 |
| 2022 | #9,983 | 10 |
| 2021 | #11,530 | 8 |
| 2020 | #10,602 | 9 |
| 2019 | #11,795 | 8 |
| 2018 | #10,905 | 9 |
| 2017 | #7,223 | 16 |
Jacob — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1
in 1999
Current rank
#41
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Jacob reached its peak popularity for boys in 1999, ranking #1 nationally with 35,371 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #4 (2014) to #41 (2024) — a 90% drop.
As of 2024, Jacob ranks #41 nationally for boys, with 6,496 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #41 | 6,496 |
| 2023 | #35 | 7,005 |
| 2022 | #32 | 7,658 |
| 2021 | #24 | 8,481 |
| 2020 | #15 | 9,306 |
| 2019 | #12 | 10,786 |
| 2018 | #13 | 11,891 |
| 2017 | #9 | 13,265 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Jacob most popular?
Jacob was most popular in 1999, when it ranked #1 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Jacob becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Jacob?
At least 984,245 babies have been recorded with the name Jacob in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Jacob? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.