Jacob
Jacob is a boy name that ranked #41 in the US in 2024. SSA records show it has appeared in official baby name data since 1880. Its best recorded rank was #1 in 1999.
Latest rank
#41
Peak rank
#1
Reached in 1999
Total recorded usage
954,005
Available where official count data exists
First recorded year
1880
What To Know About Jacob
Jacob remains appealing because it has the familiarity of a standard classic while sounding a little younger and livelier than some older staples. It continues to work well for parents who want a reliable, widely understood name.
Jacob sits inside the US top 100 in 2024, so it is widely familiar without being as saturated as the very top handful of names.
SSA data shows Jacob appearing in official records as far back as 1880, which gives parents a concrete sense of how long the name has been in use.
Its strongest recorded US position was #1 in 1999, which helps frame whether today's ranking reflects a long plateau, a comeback, or a step down from an earlier peak.
Popularity Trend
Hover or tap a point for details. If a year is missing, the name was outside the published top list for that period.
Editorial Extras
Common nicknames: Jake, Jac
Sibling style ideas: Joseph, Ethan, Emma, Hannah
Well-known namesakes: Jacob Elordi, actor; Jacob Grimm, scholar
Page Notes
Pronunciation: JAY-kub
Origin: Hebrew
Editorial status: published
Confidence: high
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Sources
- US Social Security Administration baby names · https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/Popularity rankings, usage history, and trend data are derived from SSA datasets.
- Behind the Name · https://www.behindthename.com/Used to review origin and pronunciation guidance.