Declining since 2015, #2,641 for boys today.
Popularity of Job since 1891
Babies named Job per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2004, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Job's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 46 |
| 1930s | 49 |
| 1940s | 38 |
| 1950s | 81 |
| 1960s | 114 |
| 1970s | 278 |
| 1980s | 340 |
| 1990s | 614 |
| 2000s | 759 |
| 2010s | 703 |
| 2020s | 329 |
Meaning & origin
The name Job, pronounced JOHB, has a long history rooted in the biblical figure known for his unwavering faith amid suffering. Recorded in U.S. data since 1891, Job reached its peak popularity in that same year. In 2025, it ranked 2641st, with about 1 in 34859 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2015, reflecting a pattern where the name appears less frequently in modern naming. Job has been used most prominently in New York, one of the states where it has appeared most often. While never common, Job remains a distinctive choice with deep religious significance.
Job is derived from the Hebrew name אִיּוֹב (Iyyov), which is of uncertain meaning, possibly meaning 'persecuted' or 'hated'. In the Old Testament, Job is the central figure of the Book of Job, a righteous man who endures great suffering but remains faithful to God. The name has been used among Christians, Jews, and in the English-speaking world since the Protestant Reformation.
Where Job is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Job” around the world
Where Job lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Iob
Sibling names for Job
Names that share Job's style, for a brother or sister.
