Boy Name
Yaakov
Yaakov means “May He Heel”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Considering Yaakov? It is a boy name whose meaning is "May He Heel", and ranks in our Rare popularity tier. Phonetically it shares territory with Yakov.
Yaakov meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: May He Heel
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Yaakov as Y·A·A·K·O·V, with 6 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Yaakov is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Yaakov variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Yaakova, Yaakove, Yaakovy, Yaako.
- Nicknames: Yaa and Y.
- Middle names: Pair Yaakov with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Yaakov middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Yakov, Yousef, Yosef, Yusuf, Yusef — full picks on the sibling names for Yaakov guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Yaakov? Browse our names like Yaakov guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Yaakov
What does the name Yaakov mean?
Yaakov means "May He Heel". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Yaakov is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Yaakov?
The exact origin of Yaakov is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Yaakov?
Yaakov has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Yaakov a boy's or girl's name?
Yaakov is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Yaakov in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Yaakov sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Yaakov?
Names that share Yaakov's sound and style include Yakov, Yousef, Yosef, Yusuf, Yusef.
What middle names pair well with Yaakov?
Good middle-name fits for Yaakov pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Yaakov is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Yaakov is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Yaakov?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Yaakov share its rhythm without rhyming — Yakov, Yousef, Yosef all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.