Declining since 2001, #1,370 for boys today.
Popularity of Jakob since 1957
Babies named Jakob per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 42 |
| 1970s | 288 |
| 1980s | 1,214 |
| 1990s | 8,163 |
| 2000s | 14,765 |
| 2010s | 6,189 |
| 2020s | 1,279 |
Meaning & origin
Jakob is a classic biblical name with a strong international presence. In the United States, it has been in use since at least the mid-20th century, with the first recorded occurrence in 1957. Its popularity peaked in 2001, when it ranked higher than its 2025 position of 1,370th, and has been gradually declining since that peak year. Currently, it appears once in every 12,652 male births, making it a distinctive but recognizable choice. The name is most concentrated in Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, reflecting regional preferences for this spelling variant. While less common than the standard Jacob, Jakob offers a German and Scandinavian flair that appeals to families with European heritage.
Jakob is the German and Scandinavian form of Jacob, derived from the Hebrew name Ya'akov. This name appears in the Old Testament as the younger twin brother of Esau and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its etymology is debated, often linked to the Hebrew word for 'heel' (akev) because Jacob was born holding Esau's heel, or to the verb 'to follow.' The spelling with 'k' is common in many Germanic and Nordic countries.
Where Jakob is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jakob” around the world
Where Jakob lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Quebec
17
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Koby, Kobe, Jake
Sibling names for Jakob
Names that share Jakob's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Jakob
Names whose popularity has moved with Jakob's over the last 50 years.
