Yacob first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Yacob has been for the last 35 years (from 1990 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Yacob

A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows".

Popularity of Yacob by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Yacob is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yacob.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 8 0
2023 9 0
2022 5 0
2021 5 0
2020 5 0
2019 13 0
2018 13 0
2017 18 0
2016 8 0
2015 10 0
2014 12 0
2013 6 0
2012 9 0
2011 7 0
2010 10 0
2009 5 0
2008 5 0
2007 9 0
2006 9 0
2004 6 0
2003 5 0
2002 6 0
2001 7 0
1994 5 0
1990 7 0

The history of the first name Yacob

The name Yacob has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, tracing back to ancient times. It is a variant spelling of the biblical name Jacob, which is derived from the Hebrew word "ya'aqob," meaning "to follow" or "to supplant." This name carries deep religious and cultural significance in Judaism and Christianity.

The name Yacob appears prominently in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, is one of the three patriarchs of the Israelites. He is also the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. The story of Jacob's life, including his struggle with the angel and his renaming to Israel, is a pivotal narrative in the Hebrew Bible.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Yacob can be found in the ancient Jewish text, the Talmud, which dates back to the 3rd century CE. The Talmud contains various references to individuals named Yacob, indicating the widespread use of this name among the Jewish community during that period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yacob. One of the most famous was Yacob ben Asher (1269-1343), a prominent Hebrew grammarian and codifier of the Masoretic Text, which established the authoritative version of the Hebrew Bible.

Another notable Yacob was Yacob ben Yosef ibn Nun (1450-1508), a Spanish-born Jewish scholar and philosopher who lived during the Golden Age of Jewish culture in Spain before the expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.

In the realm of religion, Yacob Baradaeus (500-578) was an influential Syrian bishop and leader of the Miaphysite Christian movement, which emphasized the unity of Christ's divine and human natures. His efforts helped to spread and strengthen this branch of Christianity in the Middle East.

Yacob Sewallas (1592-1667) was an Ethiopian philosopher, poet, and scholar who played a significant role in the development of the Ge'ez literary tradition and the promotion of education in his country.

Finally, Yacob Ledesma (1900-1957) was a renowned Filipino composer and conductor who contributed greatly to the development of Filipino music and orchestral works, earning him the title of "Father of Filipino Contemporary Music."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Yacob, a name with deep roots in ancient cultures and religions, and a rich tapestry of historical significance.

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 Yacob was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Yacob first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 15, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/yacob-meaning-and-history/.

"Yacob first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/yacob-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 15 October, 2025

Yacob first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/yacob-meaning-and-history/.

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