Find out how popular the first name Yaakov has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yaakov by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Yaakov is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 231 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yaakov.

The history of the first name Yaakov

The name Yaakov is derived from the Hebrew language and culture. It is a variant spelling of the Biblical name Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows". The name has its origins in ancient Hebrew texts, dating back over 3,500 years.

Yaakov is one of the most prominent names in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. It was the name given to the third patriarch of the Israelites, who was later renamed Israel by God. The story of Yaakov is recounted in the Book of Genesis, where he is described as the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yaakov can be found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is mentioned numerous times. The name also appears in other ancient Jewish texts, such as the Talmud and Midrash.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Yaakov. One of the most famous was Yaakov ben Asher, a renowned Jewish scholar and codifier of Jewish law, who lived in the 14th century (c. 1270-1340). Another notable Yaakov was Yaakov Emden, a prominent German rabbi and influential scholar who lived in the 18th century (1697-1776).

In the Middle Ages, Yaakov ben Meir Tam, also known as Rabbenu Tam, was a highly respected French rabbi and Torah scholar (c. 1100-1171). Yaakov Berab, a 16th-century Italian rabbi and Kabbalist (c. 1474-1546), was also a prominent figure.

More recently, Yaakov Dori was an Israeli politician and the fifth Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (1899-1973). Yaakov Agam, an Israeli sculptor and pioneer of kinetic art, was born in 1928 and is still active today.

The name Yaakov has remained popular among Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in Israel, where it is often given as a traditional Hebrew name. It has also gained popularity in other cultures, sometimes with variations in spelling and pronunciation.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yaakov was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yaakov, please contact us.

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