Boy name
Jacob name meaning
“heel-holder; one who follows”
Jacob means “heel-holder” or “one who follows” in its traditional interpretation. It is a European form of Hebrew Yaakov, connected with the birth story involving a heel. Used as a masculine name in Türkiye, it shares its origin with Turkish Yakup and German Jakob.
- Gender
- ♂ Boy
- Origin
- European languages
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- #2,864
What does Jacob mean?
Heel-holder; one who follows
In Turkish: topuğu tutan; ardından gelen
Jacob shares its historical source with Turkish Yakup. In the biblical account, Jacob is born holding his twin Esau's heel, providing the traditional explanation of the name. Jakob and James also belong to this family; the gloss reflects that narrative rather than an undisputed linguistic derivation.
Origin of the name Jacob
Jacob is a European form of Hebrew Yaakov. Its traditional interpretation connects it with the Hebrew word for 'heel' and the biblical birth narrative, although its earlier derivation is uncertain.
| Linguistic origin | European languages, Hebrew |
|---|---|
| Is Jacob in the Quran? | No |
| Starts with | J · Ja |
How to pronounce Jacob
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /ʒad͡ʒob/ |
Is Jacob a boy’s name?
Yes, Jacob is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Jacob does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Jacob
Famous people named Jacob
- Jacob Duygu · b. 1993
FAQ about the name Jacob
What is the meaning of Jacob?
Jacob means “heel-holder; one who follows”. Jacob is a European form of Hebrew Yaakov. Its traditional interpretation connects it with the Hebrew word for 'heel' and the biblical birth narrative, although its earlier derivation is uncertain.
Is Jacob a boy’s name?
Yes, Jacob is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Jacob in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Jacob nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Jacob?
Jacob is of European languages and Hebrew origin.
How many syllables does Jacob have?
Jacob has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Jacob?
Jacob does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Famous people named Jacob?
Notable people named Jacob include Jacob Duygu.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm11568 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake