Jacob is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin that means "supplanter" or "held by the heel." According to biblical tradition, Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca, and the twin brother of Esau. He was born holding onto his brother's heel, hence his name. In the Bible, Jacob struggles with an angel and is given the new name Israel, which means "strives with God."
The name Jacob has been popular throughout history and across different cultures. It was borne by several saints in early Christian times, including Saint Jacob of Nisibis, a fourth-century bishop, and Saint James the Just, a first-century brother of Jesus who is considered the patron saint of Spain.
In literature and art, Jacob has appeared in various works. In the Bible itself, Jacob's life is chronicled in detail, and his story has inspired numerous interpretations and retellings throughout history. The Book of Genesis contains many famous stories about Jacob, including his struggle with God, his dream of a ladder to heaven, and his eventual reconciliation with his brother Esau.
In more recent times, the name Jacob has been popularized by various celebrities and public figures. For example, it was the given name of American actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who was born on December 20, 1980. Additionally, several notable historical figures have borne this name, such as Jacob van Ruisdael, a Dutch landscape painter of the Golden Age, and Jacob Burckhardt, a Swiss historian and cultural theorist.
Overall, Jacob is a strong and enduring given name with a rich history and significance behind it. Its Hebrew origins and biblical associations have made it a popular choice for parents throughout the centuries, and its meaning continues to resonate with people today.
The given statistics provide an interesting overview of the number of babies named Jacobo born annually in the United States from 1910 to 2023.
From 1910 to 1958, the number of births with the name Jacobo fluctuated between 5 and 12 per year. However, starting in 1959, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of this name, with at least 6 babies named Jacobo born each year.
In the 1970s, there was a significant jump in the number of births with the name Jacobo, reaching a peak of 30 births in 1979. This trend continued into the 1980s, with the highest number of births being recorded in 1984 (39) and 1988 (39).
The late 1980s marked another decline in popularity for the name Jacobo, with fewer than 20 babies named Jacobo born annually between 1987 and 1990. However, starting in 1991, there was a steady increase in the number of births with this name.
From 1991 to 2023, the number of babies named Jacobo born each year ranged from a low of 45 (in 1996) to a high of 109 (in 2023). Over these three decades, there was a consistent trend towards more babies being given the name Jacobo.
In total, between 1910 and 2023, there were 3,312 babies named Jacobo born in the United States. This data provides insight into the shifting popularity of this name over time.