"may God protect, supplanter"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Czech
Jakub
Does Jakub flow with your last name?
The ancient patriarch's name, beloved in Central Europe
Czech
Polish
Slovak
German
Slavic
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"he who follows at the heel"
Origin: Hebrew biblical
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Jakub
Jakub is the Czech, Polish, and Slovak form of Jacob, which comes from the Hebrew 'Yaakov' meaning 'may God protect' or 'supplanter' (from the story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth). It is one of the oldest biblical names, carried by one of the patriarchs of Israel. In Central Europe, Jakub has been the standard form since the medieval period.
Jakub has been consistently in the top 5 boy names in the Czech Republic and Poland for decades. It combines deep biblical heritage with a distinctly Slavic identity, remaining timeless while feeling culturally rooted.
Saint James (Jakub in Czech/Polish) is one of the most revered apostles in Central European Catholicism. The Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela remains one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage routes, giving the name enduring spiritual weight.
Historical Record
Jakub first appeared in US Social Security records in 1981.
Over 3,030 babies have been named Jakub in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jakub is past its peak , currently ranked #3,151 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jakub is consistently one of the top 5 names for boys in the Czech Republic and Poland
- The nickname 'Kuba' for Jakub is so common in Czech Republic that it functions almost as an independent name
Jakub in Other Languages
French
Jacques
Hebrew
יַעֲקֹב
English
Jacob
Italian
Giacomo
Russian
Яков
Spanish
Santiago/Jaime
Popularity Over Time
#3,151
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2008
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jakub
J
Jakub Jankto
Athlete
1996
Czech professional footballer who came out as gay in 2023, becoming one of the first active male players in Europe to do...
Czech professional footballer who came out as gay in 2023, becoming one of the first active male players in Europe to do so
J
Jakub Schikaneder
Artist
1855
Czech painter known for his atmospheric, melancholic urban scenes and twilight cityscapes
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Compare Jakub with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,151
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- Czech Polish Slovak German Slavic
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Kuba
Janek
Jaku
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jakub
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Czech)
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Aramaic origin
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Walden
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Old English origin
"dweller in the forest"
#3,210 in US
Cyril
Boy
Greek origin
"lordly, masterful"
#3,001 in US
Nicodemus
Boy
Greek origin
"victory of the people"
#3,331 in US
Mateus
Boy
Aramaic Mattai origin
"gift of the Lord"
#3,014 in US
Johannes
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Hebrew origin
"Yahweh has shown favor"
#3,065 in US
Yovani
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Hebrew via Slavic origin
"God is gracious, Yahweh is merciful"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jakub
What does the name Jakub mean?
"may God protect, supplanter" (from Hebrew). "he who follows at the heel" (from Hebrew biblical). Jakub is the Czech, Polish, and Slovak form of Jacob, which comes from the Hebrew 'Yaakov' meaning 'may God protect' or 'supplanter' (from the story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth). It is one of the oldest biblical names, carried by one of the patriarchs of Israel. In Central Europe, Jakub has been the standard form since the medieval period.
What is the origin of the name Jakub?
Jakub has Hebrew, Hebrew biblical, Czech, Polish, Slovak, German, and Slavic origins. In Hebrew, it means "may God protect, supplanter". In Hebrew biblical, it means "he who follows at the heel".
Is Jakub a boy or girl name?
Jakub is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Jakub?
Jakub is currently ranked #3151 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jakub?
Common nicknames for Jakub include Kuba, Janek, and Jaku.
What are good middle names for Jakub?
Popular middle name pairings include Jakub Jan, Jakub Tomas, Jakub Michal, Jakub Adam, Jakub Martin, and Jakub Lukas.
What are good sibling names for Jakub?
Names that pair well with Jakub as siblings include Tomáš, Marek, Lukáš, Karolína, Tereza, Anezka, and Jan.
How many syllables does Jakub have?
Jakub has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jakub a common or rare name?
Jakub is an uncommon name, ranked #3151 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Jakub?
About the Name Jakub
Jakub is a boy name with Czech, Polish, Slovak, German, and Slavic origins . The name means "may God protect, supplanter" in Hebrew .
Jakub is currently ranked #3,151 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jakub has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jakub include Kuba, Janek, and Jaku. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis